In this fascinating article on foreign policy, Joshua Muravchik examines the past 100 years or so of foreign policy decision (don’t worry, it’s not comprehensive - would I do that to you?) and looks at some of the major decisions that have had an impact on current policy.
Specifically as it relates to the arguments surrounding both Obama and Palin, and the significance of foreign policy experience, what type of results have been had from past conversations with leaders of adversarial nations?
Time and time again, American and other Western statesmen have undertaken strenuous diplomatic efforts at the highest levels in order to reach and change the minds of enemy leaders.
The basic (but by no means all-inclusive) gist of his article:
What is essential is to understand whom we are talking to. In particular, messianic revolutionary regimes operate in a moral universe whose values are antithetical to ours. Their goal in talking is virtually never to have better relations for their own sake, but to have the advantage of us.
This is lengthy but a must read. It’s well worth your time!
