from
Dems’ Diplomacy Illusion
Aways keen to talk.
By Mona Charen

from National Review Online www.nationalreview.com

There is nothing wrong with diplomacy rightly understood. Diplomacy is a delicate dance among nations attempting to influence one another. Democrats seem to think that diplomacy leads to greater “understanding” between nations and thus to peaceful solutions of disputes. There is no evidence for this — and for a very good reason. Conflict does not arise out of misunderstanding. It arises out of aggression on one side.
….
But diplomacy that is not backed by the threat of force is gaseous and futile. What shall we say to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that can possibly improve our relations? Gee, we really wish you wouldn’t stone adulteresses to death and threaten a second Holocaust on the Jews. Will he slap his forehead and exclaim, “Oh gosh, you thought we meant those things? Those were just jokes?”
Back to the Democrats and Iraq: One sure thing about diplomacy is that you cannot go backwards. Warnings, demarches, and talks can prevent war from erupting, but after you’ve already resorted to the use of force, there is no going back to diplomacy. “Cooperate with me or I’ll, I’ll . . .” what?
The hard truth is that progress in Iraq (and there has been some since the surge began) is painstakingly slow. It will require patience and grit to prevail. But to suggest that diplomacy can solve this problem now is pure fantasy.
© 2007 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.

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