Why ‘Reset’ Failed: Diplomacy with Rogues Rarely Works
In World Affairs, AHS speaker Michael Rubin examines why Hilary Clinton's "reset" got it wrong:
"To sanction two dozen individuals in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the diplomatic equivalent of double-secret probation in Animal House—a response that mostly just makes those imposing it feel good."
Is Talking the Shortest Path to War?
In AEI's The American, AHS speaker Michael Rubin discusses why diplomacy misapplied can be the shortest path to war:
"Diplomats may see negotiation as a means to resolve conflict, but rogues do not share that view. After decades of watching how Washington operates, ayatollahs, commissars, and fedayeen all understand that once diplomats begin engaging, they seldom stop. When diplomats become invested in high-profile engagement, they refuse to admit failure. Too often, a rogue’s pledge to act substitutes for results."
The High Price of Negotiating with Bad Guys
In The Washington Post, AHS speaker Michael Rubin warns us that agreements may come at a dear price:
"Just because two parties talk does not mean both are dealing honestly. If rogues engage insincerely, they can rearm and make resolutions more difficult."
The U.S. Gets the Kurds Wrong—Again
In The Wall Street Journal, AHS speaker Michael Rubin discusses America's relationship with Syrian Kurds:
"In Iraq, we ignored them until we discovered that they were our best allies. Now those in Syria are being neglected."
Why the Olympics Actually Don't Bring the World Together
In Foreign Policy, AHS speaker Michael Rubin discusses why "sports diplomacy" and the Olympics don't actually advance peace:
"Amid the controversy over the Russian government's crackdown on gays and against the backdrop of threats by al-Qaida-affiliated groups, the Olympic Charter's promise to "place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity," seems increasingly tenuous."