Dealing with the Huns at the gates of Rome...
Bribery of a combatant is age old. The human desire for luxury and ease is evident everywhere. But power and dominion are also something humanity is predisposed to - and many nations and individuals can't stand to see a country with more resources, power and wealth.
They still operate on a petty level where the big picture eludes them.
The policy stinks. But then again, most of Carter's and Clinton's policies did.
"Fifty bags of gold, forty rugs, thirty virgins and some food for the trip home...will you PLEASE not attack us now."
It's pathetic.
SDAI-Tech1