Let's not forget that Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir faces international war crimes charges for orchestrating a campaign of murder, torture and forced expulsions in Darfur.
The U.S. special envoy to Sudan, J. Scott Gration, recently summarized this new strategy to The Washington Post as follows:
"Kids, countries -- they react to gold stars, smiley faces, handshakes, agreements, talk, engagement."
The problem is that, unfortunately, in the case of Sudan -- like with Iran, North Korea, Burma and Cuba -- we are not dealing with "kids" or even with rational leaders.
We are dealing with ruthless tyrants that rule through violent force, repression, intimidation, execution and imprisonment.
They don't deserve a gold star.
Plus, if these tyrants get a gold star, what do our democratic allies get? You know, those that respect human rights and the free, democratic will of their peoples.
Detention?
