darrelljs Wrote: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.
But even in realpolitik diplomacy works far better (and gains better results) if the involved leaders like each other.
The best example is maybe the history of the 7-years-war where Prussia was on the brink of distruction but had the luck that the russion empress Elizabeth died and her successor who admired Frederick turned russia from a foe to an prussian ally.