Sulla's getting bashed quite a bit for diplomacy, but we have third-person omniscient perspective on the situation. Let's try and look at it from his perspective 
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Not surprisingly given his background, he's approaching diplomacy the way nation's have historically approached diplomacy. Pure realpolitik. No attempt to build friendships, just use real or perceived mutual interests to achieve objectives. Timing a note is an acceptable tool. Tricky phrasing to imply one thing but mean another is an acceptable tool. Asking for much while promising little is an acceptable tool. It is the other party's job to recognize and react accordingly.
IMHO, if we read Sulla's analysis of letters received and his commentary on letters sent from that perspective, some of the criticism doesn't hold water.
Darrell
.Not surprisingly given his background, he's approaching diplomacy the way nation's have historically approached diplomacy. Pure realpolitik. No attempt to build friendships, just use real or perceived mutual interests to achieve objectives. Timing a note is an acceptable tool. Tricky phrasing to imply one thing but mean another is an acceptable tool. Asking for much while promising little is an acceptable tool. It is the other party's job to recognize and react accordingly.
IMHO, if we read Sulla's analysis of letters received and his commentary on letters sent from that perspective, some of the criticism doesn't hold water
.Darrell