You Want Poland, Take Poland. You Want Checkoslovakia? Take Checkoslovakia. Anything Else We Can Help You With?

No one said that talking to people meant agreeing to their demands. Sometimes talk is a great way to redirect dangers:

" experts said that Israel had its own compelling reasons to engage Syria: to blunt Hezbollah’s growing power in the region."

That's right, Mr. Bush: ignoring enemies only *strengthens* their power. Engagement designed as part of a policy of containment is the OPPOSITE of "appeasement."

Now, if only Obama would articulate this policy as well as Helene Cooper of the New York Times.