Speaking at South by Southwest, President Obama proposed a compromise, wishing for a solution that would, for better or worse, require a new discovery in mathematics in order to become possible.
"We all wish for a European solution, but we need to protect Hungarian interests and our population," he said.
Although Mr. Rouhani stressed Iran's wish for a diplomatic solution in Syria, the United States has long said Iran was supporting Mr. Assad against the rebels.
Despite the French government's wish for a consensus solution in the six-month bank battle, neither bank proved ready to compromise.
Many people express a wish for a political solution — perhaps a transitional government involving moderate government officials — but believe that decisions are being made by armed men on both sides who refuse to compromise.
Both men also seem to wish, as a solution, for a sadly unobtainable libertarian world in which markets handle their own business.
President Bush on Wednesday reiterated American wishes for a diplomatic solution.
Even so, I can easily envision many investors wishing for a simpler solution, one that can be implemented almost anywhere.
But I believe that we have a common bond with the people of Iran in that we all wish for a just two-state solution.
This is probably the reason that people who wish to work together look for a solution involving a minimum of complexity.
The archbishop also wishes for a longer-term solution.
