Not negotiating with "terrorists" has been one of the greatest follies of late 20th and 21st century international relations, but yes diplomacy does not seem to be in the West's arsenal of tools anymore. The simple act of sitting down and talking with one's enemy has the potential to save millions of lives, though you don't bother with that when you have ulterior motives you don't feel like sharing with the wider public.

If a dictator shows signs he's willing to speak, u speak with him to find out what's going on inside his head, and begin to build a pathway to peace. How do they know it won't work if they're not even willing to try it?