US against "The World"

Call this one "US against 'The World'" -- or -- Why direct negotiations do not work.

Sayeth MSNBC:

Mr Bush said any effort to engage the Iranians directly on the nuclear issue would weaken efforts to dissuade Iran. "It's amazing that, when we're in a bilateral position or negotiating one-on-one, somehow the world ends up turning the tables on us. And I'm not going to put my country in that position," he said.

So why don't direct negotiations work? The simplest explanation would seem to be that by engaging in one-on-one or multi-lateral negotiations, you elevate the position(s) of your adversary - inviting him to the dais from which to lecture you. Bush needs to continue to carefully state the position that the US will not negotiate with terrorists or those who support terrorists.