Back-channel diplomacy has prevented wars for decades. Cutting off all dialogue with adversaries is how you stumble into catastrophe — talking isn't endorsing.
Necessary diplomacy. When official channels freeze, ex-leaders can carry messages, test openings, and reduce nuclear-risk stupidity without handing Putin a trophy.
This is highly debated: some argue back-channel diplomacy is vital to prevent escalation, while others believe it severely undermines official U.S. foreign policy.
Ex-leaders meeting Putin keeps dialogue alive when official channels freeze. Shutting them out only hands him more isolation wins.
