Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last week she wants the United States to find ways to "empathize" with its enemies.
"This is what we call smart power," she said. "Using every possible tool and partner to advance peace and security. Leaving no one side on the sidelines. Showing respect even for one’s enemies. Trying to understand and in so far as psychologically possible, empathize with their perspective and point of view."
Supporter Jane Harman said she didn't "know what [Clinton] was saying" with those remarks. Ralph Peters, already not a fan of hers, said Clinton was "demented" to think that way.
Those enemies would include the terrorist group Islamic State, bent on America's destruction and beheading citizens on video and al-Qaeda, responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks and countless other atrocities.
Hard to find much room for empathy there, even in the name of "smart power."