Iran, Syria, North Korea - Lessons in Diplomacy

Diplomacy has always been our first line of defense, the civilized way to resolve disputes in the middle of dissimilar ideologies. Not talking with diplomats of sovereign nations is not diplomacy. Withdrawing diplomats from sovereign nations is not diplomacy. It is arrogance.

This administration does not recognize the value of cultural understanding and art-of-the-deal diplomacy. Practiced effectively, which preferably is quietly, diplomacy preempts high-priced wars. Refusal to recognize a sovereign nation that values recovery face is insulting to them. Instead of opening an office on Iran's doorstep in Dubai, which we have done, why not work behind the scenes to open even a one-room office in Tehran. Put a diplomat there with a desk and a phone and start listening.

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Secondly, behind done doors diplomacy has always proved more thriving than saber rattling. The Europeans understand the wisdom of having their representatives in countries with opposing ideologies. Why don't we? We have many talented Americans no longer in office, that are up to the task of opening doors, experienced old social servants who know something about diplomacy-former Secretary of State James Baker, old Senator George Mitchell, old President Jimmy Carter, old Secretary of Defense William Cohen. Madeleine Albright went to North Korea on invitation of the minuscule dictator. Maybe she didn't achieve much, but nothing beats boots on the ground and tux at the table.

What about Syria, the other Middle East thorn in the side of the Administration? What do we know about them, their association with Iran and Hezbollah? Wouldn't it be to our benefit to have an American representative occupy an office in Damascus, even if all he does is listen? Where are the State Department's young bilingual Arabists? They should be sitting in the cafes of Damascus and Teheran-listening! Unfortunately this President doesn't want to listen. He prefers bullying from the bully pulpit, issuing ridiculous ultimatums to an unstable North Korean dictator.

North Korea is run by the most secretive gang of crazies on earth. While their dictator, Dear Leader Kim Jong-Il, with the utmost cruelty starves millions of his people to death, he has armed to the teeth a million man army ready to swarm over South Korea on his whim. We don't know how imminent a nuclear threat he actually is, just that he is one.

Is this caricature in high heels and high hairdo delusional or a genius? Apparently Kim has a vast variety of movies, cognac and gorgeous women for his insatiable pleasures. He wants our attentiveness and he'll do anything it takes to get it. Why is the administration so stubborn about six party talks vs. One on one? either or not the dear leader is a megalomaniac, talking with the enemy is not the same as sleeping with him.

For those who care to know more about the menagerial field of government, herewith Diplomacy 101: The chief diplomat of the U.S. State group is the Secretary of State who reports directly to the President. There are numerous under secretaries, deputies and assistant secretaries. All sovereign nations appoint diplomats as ambassadors to countries with whom they want to allege gentle relations. All embassies are located in capital cities. For example, the most up-to-date American Ambassador to Iraq is Zalmay Khalilzad in Baghdad. Yes, he's an American citizen. Ambassadors are also appointed by their respective countries as representatives to the United Nations in New York. John Bolton is the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.

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Iran, Syria, North Korea - Lessons in Diplomacy

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