Many commentators attempt to back off for a broader perspective.
The Wall Street Journal Europe considers the meaning of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's release of three U.S. soldier prisoners. He also thought he could rout the KLA rebels across Kosovo quickly, but they are standing and fighting back. His own options weakening, he's now looking for the West to bail him out, just as it did the first three times. One of the least admirable traditions of Western diplomacy in this century is its instinct to negotiate with, and thereby legitimatize, anyone laying claim to the title, head of state. No matter how homicidal, duplicitous or crazy, any thug calling himself president or prime minister somehow can expect the green baize treatment from Europeans and Americans.