John R. Bolton was the White House national security adviser from 2018 to 2019.
Conventional wisdom holds that negotiations to resolve international conflicts are always useful. The media, encouraged by negotiators themselves, often reinforces this view, noting that talks are progressing, referring to their quickening pace or intensifying efforts and the anticipation of further meetings. Feckless diplomacy, however, can do more harm than good. Fate can also take a hand, with unforeseen developments bolstering one combatant’s negotiating position.
