The Chamberlain form of diplomacy

Brad MacDonald warns of speaking softly without a big stick:

...like Chamberlain, many American and British leaders believe the solutions lie in conversation and negotiation. Yank the troops out, and let’s sit down at the negotiating table with Iran and Syria, the reasoning goes.The result is that we are moving into an era when the enemies of Western civilization simply do not fear consequences for their actions. Hence, Hezbollah launches war against Israel; Hamas does everything but; North Korea freely tests long-range missiles and nuclear weapons; Iran spurns international pressure to refrain from doing the same; Iraqi and Afghan insurgents brazenly attack Western forces.

This article mimics my own recent editorial The Shameful Rebirth of Detente.