Diplomatic Ties With Iran and North Korea Should Be Established Sooner Rather Than Later: Even During Cold War, We Talked to Soviets

What would have happened if we hadn't been in direct communication with the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

There may well have been a nuclear war in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Or military clashes in a number of situations with the USSR as the two nations were constantly at odds.

If there was no U.S./Soviet diplomacy, there would have been no reductions of nuclear arms between the U.S. and USSR. No recognition of the concept of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) if one side started firing nuclear missiles at the other. No realization that both sides didn't want war between them.

Even with diplomacy, U.S./Soviet relations were strained, so a reality where there were no direct ties between the two superpowers is downright terrifying to imagine.

The fact that we do not have diplomatic ties with Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and (sometimes) Syria is a cause for concern. We have conflicts going with Iran and North Korea that could turn into military situations in very short order. Why not talk to them directly instead of using intermediaries? If we can defuse North Korea without letting the missiles fly, why aren't we taking full advantage of that avenue?

Our history shows that we can talk with foreign governments, even if we don't like them.

We should have full diplomatic relations with every nation on earth.