* Take communications with North Korean or other dissidents as an example. On the surface, Kim Jong needs to think we are negotiating with him without trying to

* Take communications with North Korean or other dissidents as an example. On the surface, Kim Jong needs to think we are negotiating with him without trying to support opposition and bring down his government - otherwise he may become unstable and violent.* Or rather, since I'm sure he already thinks that, he needs to not be able to prove that, or else he has an excuse to become unstable and violent. Mind you, I'm less worried about the consequences with North Korea and more worried about the consequences with, say, China.