Difficult Iran negotiations are not new territory

Published June 27, 2026 5:00am ET



Some people are frustrated over what they perceive to be unacceptable delays in America’s negotiation process with Iran. I’d like to remind those people that cross-cultural negotiations, particularly between Americans and Iranians, can be very difficult. Faithful reader, you may be thinking, “What does this writer know about such things?” I’m so glad you asked! Let me tell you about a tiny but nearly disastrous negotiation that took place during the Afghanistan War in 2005.

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