Saturday, March 07, 2009

Not a Threat

Our friends don't need to worry about America talking to their enemies:

The United States sought Friday to reassure Lebanon that its efforts to repair relations with that country's long-dominant neighbor, Syria, do not pose a threat.


Similarly, talking to Russia about Iran is no threat to Poland and the Czech Republic. Nor should Georgia or Ukraine be worried.

And talking to Iran is no threat to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Israel.

And talking to China is no threat to Taiwan or Tibet.

And talking to Hamas and Hezbollah is no threat to Israel.

And talking to North Korea with nobody else present is no threat to South Korea or Japan.

Why any of our friends would be worried about us talking to rulers who wish them harm is beyond me. Like what, are we going to sell them out or something?

I'm sure smart, nuanced diplomacy is way different than just making concessions to dictatorial states and groups.