A Summit of Two Worlds - Democracy and Diplomacy v. Authoritarianism, by Peter Boyce

An apparent inherent weakness of democracy has been its genuine kindness; its gentleness; its strong reliance upon diplomacy as a problem solver; its willingness to compromise and to be empathetic with others, while often offering an olive branch to wolves to join the flock of passive and forgiving sheep. Such was the circumstance of the Summit between United States (US) President Joe Biden and the Russian leader Vladimir Putin, yesterday, at Geneva, Switzerland. A Summit of two worlds - democracy and diplomacy pitted against authoritarianism. 

And as is often the case with the "nice guy" getting the worse of any outcome, it might appear in the short-run that Putin got the best of Biden at the meeting in Switzerland. He got a prime showcase spot on the world stage thanks to the invitation of President Biden. Putin made no concessions or admissions of Russian guilt to any meddlings and agitations or to cyber crimes. He dscribed the meetings as "constructive". 

Amid facts and allegations of Russian meddling in many areas from the US Presidential Elections, to the security of Ukraine, to agitations across Europe and elsewhere along with involvement in assassinations and attempted poisonings at home and on foreign sovereign soils, Putin was still invited by President Biden, who being a seasoned politician, former Vice-President, now President and an avid believer in democracy, hoped diplomacy extended to a bad actor could better global security and cooperation. 

In the long-run, history could show that Biden's overture to Putin did better the general security of humanity. If that is not manifested, and eventually, the US and allies are forced to counter Russian actions, then Biden will have justification for any reactions taken since he first waved an olive branch at Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2021.