RADEK SIKORSKI, the former deputy foreign minister of Poland and now head of the New Atlantic Initiative, recently pointed out to me that “there are no more contentious subjects in the world than the Middle East, Kashmir, Northern Ireland, and Cyprus.” Unfortunately, he told me too late.

When last I wrote about the Cyprus issue, I received much warmth and gratitude from the Greek Cypriot community and even a glowing letter from the president of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association). It all made me feel like I was somehow furthering the cause of democracy in the world–that is, before the irate letters and e-mails from Turkish Cypriots and their sympathizers started pouring in.