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Source: http://www.opinionjournal.com/federation/feature/?id=110009346
It's a Myth that the U.S. Hasn't Already Engaged Syria and Iran
[American Spectator/Wall Street Journal] Joel Himelfarb - America has been trying for decades to resolve differences diplomatically with Iran and Syria. The Bush administration, which has been repeatedly burned in recent years when it tried to engage these governments, prefers discretion and holding lower-level talks. These regimes insist on holding well-publicized summits that yield them P.R. windfalls without forcing them to substantively change their policies. The fact is that, since the Carter presidency, U.S. administrations of both parties have tried unsuccessfully to persuade these governments to end their support for terrorism and their efforts to sabotage Washington's efforts to facilitate peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.