It’s A Game Of Give And Take

Interviewed in this week’s VARA TV Guide, renowned negotiator Alistair Crooke illustrates the principle of give and take in negotiations by quoting a remark a Hamas leader made to him:

The Americans demand that we cease all violent action, turn in our weapons, and recognize the State of Israel, before they will enter into negotiations with us. I ask you: if we meet all these demands, what will be left to negotiate about?

Not to endorse either Hamas or Crooke’s efforts at diplomacy, but the man does have a point…