In the stereotypes of punditry, Moscow's diplomacy is unbeatably foxy, Washington's well-meaning but bumbling. But last week it was Russia's Premier Khrushchev who was the bumbler and object of pundits' derision. And if Khrushchev's embarrassment was partly a result of U.S. luck, diplomatic skill and patience also had something to do with it. Steps to Khrushchev's stumble:
July 19. Transparently trying to wring a propaganda triumph out of the U.S. and British landings in Lebanon and Jordan, K. demands a summit meeting to save the world from "catastrophe."
July 22. President Eisenhower replies that the U.N. is the place to deal with...