Extraterrestrial input: Star Trek as a diplomatic initiative at the verge of global multipolarity.

This article examines the *Star Trek* (ST) franchise as a reflection of international relations (IR), focusing on how its depiction of the United Federation of Planets (UFP) illustrates power politics, human nature, and diplomatic strategies within a multipolar galactic system. Through qualitative analysis of selected episodes from *The Original Series* (TOS), *The Next Generation* (TNG), and *Deep Space Nine* (DS9), the study highlights the UFP's use of "smart power"—a combination of hard and soft power—to navigate conflicts and maintain hegemony, while balancing idealism and realism. The UFP's Prime Directive, which prohibits interference in less developed societies, is shown to be frequently suspended, revealing tensions between liberal ideals and pragmatic power politics. Overall, the article positions *Star Trek* as a significant cultural text offering philosophical insights into diplomacy, governance, and the complexities of human nature in both fictional and real-world IR contexts.