Winning the War in Afghanistan

[JMA]

There was a time when the U.S. did not negotiate about things concerning expansion of the Soviet's influence, for example.

Even today not everything is negotiable. To discuss along this extreme idea that everything is negotiable is misleading and fruitless. You better focus on the original theme; the readiness to do business with dictators.

That, btw, was always there - and it should be. There's no reason why a nation should refuse a win-win negotiation with a dictator if it doesn't compromise its own rules.

I suggest you both read me incorrectly. I am talking about a national characteristic rather than a guide to national policy.

That said, I do accept that the latter will generally follow the former.