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Diplomacy is about the Next Move

Reader comment on item: Obama Administration Middle East Policy: Amateur Hour

Submitted by Jonathan Pfeffer (Canada), May 1, 2013 at 10:58

Foreign policy is almost always about, maneuvering one's position to set up the next move, and not as naively believed by some, a clear statement of absolute belief. We, the observers are often surprised by the lack of moral clarity. We often are left to complain about the moral inconsistencies these policies demonstrate.

Foreign policy makers rarely ask what is absolutely correct from a moral point of view, rather they ask, what do I need to do to maneuver and influence those that can be maneuvered?

Whether Jews can or should be allowed to live in the West Bank is less important than, can I get movement from the Israeli side on this issue, and how much will it cost me?

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Reader comments (7) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
1Our leaders are beyond help! [38 words]dhimmi no moreMay 5, 2013 08:45205835
Diplomacy is about the Next Move [121 words]Jonathan PfefferMay 1, 2013 10:58205778
1Palestinians [21 words]JZApr 24, 2013 20:12205566
Excellent Summary of Policy Recent Past and Possible Approaches to the Future [227 words]DallasApr 24, 2013 17:39205562
1Reserve officers willful blindness. [98 words]peter knopflerApr 24, 2013 15:51205559
1Excellent presentation. Daniel is a "thinker" -- unusual in our policy makers today [128 words]Norma WolensApr 24, 2013 15:26205558
1blind to structure [229 words]mythApr 24, 2013 06:25205542

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