How the Moscow Talks Are Like 'Seinfeld'
Nothing happened. But that might be just fine. Al-Monitor Washington correspondent Barbara Slavin on why talking without any results is better than not talking at all.
![Mann, spokesman of European Union Foreign Policy Chief Ashton, gestures as he attends a meeting with the media in Moscow Michael Mann, spokesman of European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton, gestures as he attends a meeting with the media in Moscow, June 18, 2012. Talks on Iran's nuclear program on Monday were difficult and included a tense exchange of views, a European Union spokesman said. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2012/q2/Iran%20Talks%20Moscow%203.jpg/Iran%20Talks%20Moscow%203.jpg?itok=36jVPtVX)
Not to be cynical, but it really doesn’t matter that the latest talks with Iran came up empty.
Outnumbered six to one, Iranian negotiators did a classic job in Moscow earlier this week (June 18-19) of defending past positions, raising old grievances and demanding concessions that they knew they would not get. US officials offered little and got nothing in return — but cannot be accused of “appeasement” in a presidential election year.