November 1, 2026 · 11 min
Why talks stall, and how they start again
The long silences in a negotiation, what is going on in them and what brings people back. Builds on “Why the room is set up the way it is”.
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Table Notes
A short letter every Sunday: one negotiation explained, step by step, with no side taken.
More posts
Why a signed deal is not the end
What happens after the signing: who checks, who pays and why the real talks often start then. Builds on “Who watches a ceasefire once it starts” and “Trade talks, line by line”.
Trade talks, line by line
How a trade deal is talked through: the list, the schedule, the give and take. Builds on “Positions and interests”.