There appears to be a trend here, so tell me if I'm paranoid. I realize that other nations will always talk with other nations, and America isn't necessarily the life of the party all of the time, but it would appear that China and Russia are stepping in where we are leaving a void.
For example,
Israel's talks with Russia. Olmert met with Putin, and discussed preventing a nuclear Iran and preventing Syria's influence in Lebanon.
Also, China's recent leash pulling on N. Korea.
Now, it makes sense that you work with those nations that have the most direct influence over problematic regimes. And I
still believe that no matter countries like N. Korea and Iran say, we're the ones they want at that negotiating table to guarantee their security.
I'm not entirely sure what my point was now, but I guess it raises two things-- One, have we exhausted our international credit to the point that friendly nations such as Israel and S. Korea will begin to rely more heavily on other nations? Or, is this the way the War on Terrorism should look? When you decide that you will no longer kowtow to the demands of petulant and dangerous regimes, does it seem logical that they would then try to skirt you and go to regimes that will bend a bit, without demanding full reform?
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