Quotes About Diplomacy

The widespread diffusion of nuclear weapons would make many nations able, and in some cases also create the pressure, to aggravate an on-going crisis, or even touch off a war between two other powers for purposes of their own.

There is a widespread view among the liberal intelligentsia to the effect that Henry Kissinger, U.S. National Security Advisor from 1969 to 1975 and Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977, was a bad man. That may even be an understatement. In this fashionable consensus, he is not just a bad man: he is a war criminal.

'Toughness' and 'credibility' are leitmotifs that run through both Trumpian and Kissingerian deal-making. Both men insist that war and diplomacy are inseparable and that, to be effective, diplomats need to be able to wield threats and offer incentives in equal, unrestricted measure.

Israel's behavior when it comes to Egypt is that of a battered wife. Nothing but apologies.

You know, in the WikiLeaks cables, the Chinese discovered that Kevin Rudd was urging the Americans to keep the military option open against them. This is hardly a friendly gesture.

Most other documents leaked to WikiLeaks do not carry the same explosive potential as candid cables written by American diplomats.

The American temptation is to believe that foreign policy is a subdivision of psychiatry.

The popular tendency is to listen approvingly to the most extreme statements and claims of politicians and orators who seek popularity by declaring their own country right in everything and other countries wrong in everything.

I've always had a tendency to push the envelope as far as it can go without hurting someone's feelings.

Washington has a tendency to hold other powers to standards that it routinely flaunts - plain and simple.

Sanctions historically are quite counterproductive in the sense that if you impose sanctions on your enemy, it tends to strengthen your enemy.

Between major countries, there certainly always are some common ground and points of tension.

If I don't agree with something, I let people know, and it occasionally leads to tension. But I usually iron things out.

If there are tensions between America and China, we will be asked to pick a side. It may not be directly, but you will get the message that, 'We would like you to be with us, and are you with us? If not, does that mean you're against us?' And that's to put it gently.

As our relationship with China grows and matures, tensions will naturally emerge.

Our Cuba policy was a major obstacle to getting things done in the hemisphere and a source of tension around the world.

I think we will be able to work with Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to reduce tension and concentrate efforts in both the countries on real problems of the people - poverty, social injustice, and development.

I don't look for a fight or look for animosity or tension where it's not needed.

The United States, whenever it comes to any region in the world where there are tensions, asks for people to observe the rule of law, respect for human rights, respect for international norms. We ask people to maintain peace and security and direct dialogue.

Japan is opposed to any actions that escalate tensions in the South China Sea.

The project to settle Palestinians here will be never be approved during my tenure regardless of the price.

It's hard to overstate the lasting harm Mr. Tillerson's tenure will do to America's diplomacy.

Too often the desire for peace has been expressed by women while the stewardship of the mechanisms which are used to attempt to secure peace in the short and medium term are dominated by male decision-making structures and informal arrangements. This must change.

Long term I do believe internationally there is a huge misunderstanding of Russia.