"The door remains open to diplomacy should Iran choose to walk through it, " Mr. Obama said.

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The newly tough European line could still open a window for diplomacy in the next couple of months.

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But among the skills they brought to the playing field were diplomacy and open minds, tools that would prove valuable.

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The door to diplomacy remains open.

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And with respect to the Middle East, it is an open secret that the United States played no significant role in the diplomacy that led to the Israeli-Palestinian breakthrough.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy