Comments on: Negotiating With Terrorists: Pros and Cons /region/middle_east_north_africa/negotiating-with-terrorists-pros-cons-98057/ Fact-based, well-reasoned perspectives from around the world Mon, 04 Aug 2014 10:36:57 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: David Fremantle /region/middle_east_north_africa/negotiating-with-terrorists-pros-cons-98057/#comment-25563 Mon, 04 Aug 2014 10:36:57 +0000 http://www.fairobserver.com/?p=43984#comment-25563 I believe that, as a matter of principle, it is better to refuse to negotiate that to negotiate and pay ransom. If a nation refuses to pay ransom and pursues and kills the terrorists (the basic USA position) it leads to better outcomes than the French position of paying ransom. The French position merely puts a target on the back of all French citizens. The USA position ensures that US citizens are usually left in peace, because justice, certain if not necessarily swift (it took years to hunt Bin Laden down) will follow.

You cannot compromise with those who hate you and wish to kill you. All you can do is protect yourself as best you can, and ensure those who hate you and wish to kill you know they will die if they try. Usually self-preservation will ensure you are left in peace.

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