Diplomacy isn't about dancing with the partner you like best

My children, it is permitted you in time of grave danger to walk with the devil until you have crossed the bridge." FDR commenting on American policy during the Second World War

Soon, I hope, the US, EU, and the Iranians will kiss and make up after trading barbs on the election. Do I think the election might have been rigged? It seems highly possible, but that is irrelevant now now that the Guardian Council finalized the election results. But shouldn't the US strive for a higher standard in its diplomacy and refuse to recognize this tyrannical and undemocratic government? Short answer, NO. Standing firm to a principle of not dealing with countries who rule harshly is not putting the US into a better position within the region. It is also discordant with the US' diplomatic history and current foreign policy.

Some argue that the US cannot negotiate with a regime that does not retain popular support. I have two responses to that ridiculous claim. 1) Obviously MA and the Supreme Leader have popular support. They might not have it all, but that doesn't mean they are a dictatorship without any constituency or legitimacy. 2) If the Obama administration refuses to deal with the current leadership (ie, Netanyahu's dream), they will offer MA and AK ammunition for claims that the US is at fault and Iran is the victim of US imperialism. The Iranians' favorite whipping boy is the US and it will remain so until there is a modicum of diplomatic headway. Further, the US won't make any forward progress on regional strategies if Iran is cast out. Now isn't the time for retrenchment or the philosophy of rejection. If FDR or Nixon refused to work with communists, what would those presidencies have accomplished diplomatically? Not to mention the US' sordid past of relying on and propping up despots. It's one thing to demonize and isolate a state when the US has sufficient political capital internationally, but our country is lacking the latter and cannot afford to pursue a policy of failed containment.

According to the BBC, Iran disqualified the EU from further negotiations and the EU is considering withdrawing its envoys. There is no mention of the US. The Iranian leadership might despise the US, but neither MA or AK are idiots. I wish that they will do their best to bolster their image by sending out feelers to the US soon, because the current regime isn't doing itself any favors at this point. Of course, I could be wrong and the Iranians could flip the bird to the world.