Although the topic of taqiyya, like many religious concepts, is certainly more complex than can be explained in a blog post, I think it's important to understand because it underscores how differently Muslims and Christians tend to view lying. Most broadly, Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri wrote:
Speaking is a means to achieve objectives. If a praiseworthy aim is attainable through both telling the truth and lying, it is unlawful to accomplish it through lying because there is no need for it. When it is possible to achieve such an aim by lying but not by telling the truth, it is permissible to lie if attaining the goal is permissible..., and obligatory to lie if the goal is obligatory. ...One should compare the bad consequences entailed by lying to those entailed by telling the truth, and if the consequences of telling the truth are more damaging, one is entitled to lie...
So it shouldn't be a suprise that Muslim nations don't tend to negotiate in good faith as Westerners understand it. As the Left constantly admonishes, it's important to get to know other cultures! (So we can defeat them.)
