Nonetheless, I hope the two sides keep talking. One never knows what kind of breakthrough can occur when the parties to a conflict are negotiating, even indirectly. But everyone knows no breakthroughs will come if leaders refuse to negotiate.

Olmert deserves US support for negotiating with Assad. Similarly, the US needs to negotiate with Iran on all the issues that divide us, starting with its nuclear program, its backing of terrorists in Iraq, and its alliance with Hizbullah. What has the US accomplished by stonewalling?

You talk not because it benefits the other side but because it benefits you. You refuse to talk when your preference is confrontation, not resolution. It is that simple.

The writer is the director of Israel Policy Forum's Washington Policy Center.