The recent diplomatic maneuvering of Iraqi officials has complicated the Bush administration's campaign to build an international consensus for the removal of Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi concession of weapons inspections has allowed countries like France and Russia to express their grievances about a potential war. The debate in the United Nations has exposed the strong level of international discontent with the push for war.
If the countries of the world could sit in a room and talk to a therapist, there would be much to discuss. Similar situations of conflict resolution occur at the interpersonal level, and therapists often deal with power issues and communication problems. "The fallacy involved is that one party can impose their will, and the other party will like it," says Rob Scuka, Ph.D.
Without dialogue, personal relationships often suffer greatly. Add an imbalance of power and things get worse. "It's a recipe for disaster. Somebody will be unhappy," explains Scuka.
"If the dialogue process is not there, you are not going to get mutual buy-in. The proper solution isn't really a solution; it's an imposed fait accompli. It amounts to acting unilaterally," says Scuka.
