Palaver (New Word No. 5)

In writing critically about the recent removal of North Korea from the United States list of terrorist-sponsoring states, John Bolton states:

So now Pyongyang has what it wants, and Washington has a vague, inadequate
invitation to more [nuclear weapons] verification palavering.

Google brought multiple definitions for "palaver" with varying connotations:

• chatter: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
• wheedle: influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering; "He palavered her into going along"
• blandishment: flattery intended to persuade
• loud and confused and empty talk; "mere rhetoric"
• talk, unnecessary talk, fuss; a meeting at which there is much talk; to discuss with much talk

Regardless of the definition chosen, clearly Bolton doesn't think the decision is a good one. North Korea has broken every international agreement it has made since 1953. With such an unimpressive history, Bolton is surely right that this will fare no better. The Bush Administration is grasping for anything they can spin as victory.

John Bolton is a polarizing figure for many, often branded as a warhawk and neocon. On North Korea, though, he is hard to argue with. Read the WSJ editorial here.