Bohemund I of Antioch Quotes
God does not always give victory to the leaders by means of the sword, nor are such things always accomplished by fighting. But what toil has not procured, words have often effected, and the greatest trophies have been erected by friendly and propitiatory intercourse. Let us therefore not spend our time here uselessly, but endeavor to accomplish something sensible and courageous for our own safety… Let each one of us studiously try to win over the barbarian who guards our respective section.
The issue of force verses diplomacy has been in debate at almost all times. However, the issue of the conflict with Islam is much the same today—almost 1000 years later
Bohemund I of Antioch, 1058-1111, Prince of Antioch & One of the Leaders of the First Crusade, Statement to the assembled counts, Quoted in Anna Comnena, The Alexiad, ~1148
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
The Russians were breaking diplomatic relations with Israel.
When there is a serious problem with another country and it appears that military force may have to be used, he and most sophisticated policy makers argue that we should always try diplomacy first. If that does not work, then the military option is still open. If it does work, war or other military action is always available as an option. When politicians do not want to try diplomacy, it is usually that they have an ulterior motive for war and/or military force. Some urge caution with this principle in all cases as sometimes it gives the enemy time to regroup and rearm and he gets stronger by stringing out the negotiations with no intention of a diplomatic solution. In some other cases, as Iran in the second decade of the 21st century when they were suspected of developing a nuclear weapon. The Israeli right wing and some American conservatives wanted no delay in use of military force as that might allow the Iranians to complete an operational message. President Obama and most Americans favored strong economic sanctions with diplomacy first.
Bohemond I was the Prince of Taranto from 1089 to 1111 and the Prince of Antioch from 1098 to 1111. He was a leader of the First Crusade, which was governed by a committee of nobles. The Norman monarchy he founded in Antioch arguably outlasted those of England and of Sicily.
