How Not to Negotiate a War — And How to Do It Right: The Prometheus System

Using a recent geopolitical case study, we will analyze how misreading key variables such as BATNA, time pressure, credibility, and the zone of possible agreement can lead to strategic errors with far-reaching consequences. The session will introduce the Prometheus Negotiation System, a structured framework designed to integrate and organize the multiple dimensions that shape any negotiation process.

Rather than replacing existing approaches, Prometheus provides a comprehensive lens to understand when and how to apply negotiation principles effectively. Participants will gain insights into managing pressure, structuring concessions, building alternatives, and maintaining control over the negotiation process - especially in complex, high-stakes environments.

Bio

Jorge Mestre is a university professor of International Relations and Negotiation, and Director of the Master’s in International Leadership and Negotiation at Universidad Europea (in collaboration with UNITAR) in Spain. With over a decade of teaching experience, he specializes in diplomacy, conflict resolution, and high-stakes negotiations, particularly in the post-Soviet space. He previously worked as a Senior Political Adviser at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where he was involved in multilateral dialogue and institutional negotiation processes. He is the creator of the Prometheus Negotiation System.