We don't know that anything he said won't be followed. We will only know that when we actually engage in deals and verify them. My own simplistic guess at how it would work would be something like this. Iran stops its funding. In return the rebel group gets a cease fire, and some of the more essential sanctions against Iran are lifted. As Iran holds to its deal the rebel group is eventually disbanded and more sanctions are lifted. Iran's involvement and influence in Iraq is brought into play, and again we verify that they are living up to their end of the bargain. If they aren't, the sanctions go back in place, the rebel group is supported and funded possibly even more than before.
Talking to your enemies is what civilized nations do, in my opinion. There is nothing lost, and something might be gained. Bush's foreign policy has been an example of what not to do. D&D. Policy has a P.
Exactly. Even the most basic of diplomatic traditions that existed amongst tribal societies throughout history, let alone Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilizations, plus throughout the history of Europe are completely ignored or perhaps even unkown to this administration. There is a reason why virtually every single successful society conducted diplomacy that way including the U.S. during its periods of greatest success.
The Greeks Romans and Egyptians conquered and killed people. I'm sure you can pull an article somewhere that disputes this, so I eagerly await the link.
They certainly did conquer and kill people, but they also spoke with enemies, made agreements and engaged in diplomacy. Because you engage in diplomacy doesn't mean you can never go to war.
