Charles Krauthammer two days ago referred to the Obama/Kerry proposed deal with Iran as “the worst deal since Munich.” Munich, of course, is a reference to the failed attempt to appease Adolf Hitler by allowing him to annex Czechoslovakia without a fight, and thus obtain “peace for our time” according to British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin. (It didn’t work then, and it probably won’t now.)
Iran, the greatest supporter of terrorism around the globe, has been bound and determined to obtain nuclear weapons for many years now. U.S. policy for just as many years has been – no way. It took us many years to garner support from the rest of the world, to impose extremely severe sanctions on Iran, which would only be removed if they gave up their nuclear program. (Even the UN is with us on this.)
Just when the sanctions are finally having the desired effect, the Obama Administration is, in my opinion, ready to blow the whole thing. A tentative deal has been reached in Geneva, which would lift most of the sanctions, in return for slowing down Iran’s nuclear program, somewhat. And then after six months, we talk some more.
Going back to Charles Krauthammer, he further commented that “… this makes no sense. If at this point of maximum economic pressure we can’t get Iran to accept a final deal that shuts down its nuclear program, how in God’s name do we expect to get such a deal when we have radically reduced that pressure?” Good point.
Others agree with Krauthammer. No nation has more to lose from a bad deal with Iran, than Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented “what was reached in Geneva is not a historic agreement, it is a historic mistake.” He also argued that the deal “reduces the pressure on Iran without receiving anything tangible in return…”
Republican Senator Lindsay Graham said “The sanctions actually worked, but this interim deal gives the Iranians $7 billion in cash, and leaves in place one of the most sophisticated nuclear enrichment programs around.”
Republican Senator Marco Rubio opined “There is now an even more urgent need for Congress to INCREASE sanctions until Iran completely abandons its enrichment and reprocessing capability.”
And even some Democrats were willing to criticize the Obama Administration on this important matter. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer said “Iran SIMPLY FREEZES its nuclear capabilities, while we REDUCE the sanctions. That is not a proportionate agreement.”
I agree with the sentiment expressed by this diverse group of leaders. This is not the time to be loosening the sanctions – not unless and until Iran verifiably gets rid of its nuclear program. The sanctions are the only thing which have gotten Iran to even discuss their nuclear program in the first place.
Further, one has to question whether the Iranians and the Americans even see eye to eye on the deal. Shortly after the deal was announced, Iran’s President, Hassan Rouhani was claiming that, according to the agreement, Iran was allowed to “keep its right to enrich uranium.” Secretary of State Kerry on the other hand claims this is not true. And shortly after the deal was reached, Iran’s leading mullahs were still calling for the “elimination of the rabid-dog Zionists of Israel.” (Peace for our time?)
Several months back, the House of Representatives, in a bipartisan vote 400-20 passed a bill to ratchet up the sanctions on Iran even more tightly. We had been hoping that the Senate would take up the bill in the very near future as Harry Reid had said just last week “the Senate must be prepared to move forward with a new bipartisan Iran sanctions bill when the Senate returns after the Thanksgiving recess. And I am committed to do so.” But that was then. The Obama Administration must have gotten to him, because now ‘ole Harry is saying the Senate needs to decide “IF we need to do stronger sanctions.”
The bottom line is, I fear that the Obama Administration is getting ready to add another to its long list of failed policies and failed programs. Unfortunately, this one involves nuclear weapons, and our national security. And I’m afraid that this Administration is so desperate for a win, any win, that the best interests of our nation are not being fully considered.
