The engagement policy has a difficulty on the American side, too.
If the president waits until next year's election to make his decision, a policy of engagement may no longer be possible.
Later in 2001, the administration shifted again, this time saying that it would continue the policy of engagement.
His was a policy of engagement with room to manoeuvre.
This requires, across the board an active foreign policy of engagement not isolation.
Senator Kerry is on the right track by pursuing a policy of engagement.
"Our policy of aggressive engagement with China and financial diplomacy is making progress."
A "conditional engagement" policy is a much better fit for the present situation in Iraq.
Some critics of the engagement policy have called it appeasement.
I think Obama's engagement policy is in deep trouble.