So he’s finally done it. Having spent the past three years denouncing the Iran nuclear deal as “horrible,” “disastrous,” and “insane,” Donald Trump arrived in the Diplomatic Room of the White House on Tuesday afternoon to formally announce that “the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal” and would “begin reinstituting U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime.”
“This will make America much safer,” the president declaimed, jabbing his fingers at the assembled reporters.
Guess who’s celebrating the president’s decision to violate a nuclear nonproliferation agreement signed by the United States less than three years ago? His new national security adviser, John Bolton, a former paid speaker for an Iranian ex-terror group who has long been obsessed with “regime change” in Tehran; the crown prince — and de facto ruler — of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, who claims Iran’s supreme leader “makes Hitler look good”; and the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who constantly compares the Islamic Republic to the so-called Islamic State.
Don’t be fooled: This disastrous and unilateral decision by Trump won’t improve U.S. security. Or Israeli security, for that matter. Even card-carrying hawks who hate the Islamic Republic think Trump is mad to pull out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, as the nuclear deal is officially known.
Because guess who won’t be celebrating? The entire U.S. military establishment: Defense Secretary James Mattis, who says he has read the text of the nuclear agreement three times and considers it to be “pretty robust”; Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, who says, “Iran is adhering to its JCPOA obligations” and a U.S. decision to quit the deal “would have an impact on others’ willingness to sign agreements”; the head of U.S. Strategic Command, Gen. John Hyten, who says, “Iran is in compliance with JCPOA” and argues “it’s our job to live up to the terms of that agreement”; and the head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Joseph Votel, who says the nuclear deal is “in our interest” because it “addresses one of the principle threats that we deal with from Iran.”
Those are just the generals who are still in uniform. In March, a statement signed by 100 U.S. national security veterans from across the political spectrum said the nuclear agreement “enhances U.S. and regional security” and “ditching it would serve no national security purpose.” Fifty of the 100 signatories were retired U.S. military officers, including leading Republicans such as retired Gen. Brent Scowcroft, who served as national security adviser to George H.W. Bush, and retired Gen. Michael Hayden, who served as director of both the NSA and the CIA under George W. Bush.
Then there’s retired Gen. Colin Powell, national security adviser to Ronald Reagan and secretary of state under George W. Bush, who has called the JCPOA “a pretty good deal.” And Trump’s own former national security adviser, soon-to-be-retired Gen. H.R. McMaster, who was “working closely with two key senators to prevent Trump from destroying the Iran deal” prior to being fired and replaced with Bolton in March.
Guess who else isn’t celebrating? The Israeli security establishment. Netanyahu may claim to possess thousands of “secret nuclear files” that show the JCPOA was “built on lies,” but Israel’s generals and spymasters disagree, including: the chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, who says the deal “with all its faults is working”; the chair of the Israeli Space Agency and award-winning military scientist, Isaac Ben-Israel, who says “the agreement is not bad at all, it’s even good for Israel” because “it averts an atom bomb for 15 years”; the former director of the spy agency Mossad, Efraim Halevy, who says the JCPOA provides a “credible answer to the Iranian military threat, at least for a decade, if not longer”; the former chief of domestic security agency Shin Bet, Carmi Gillon, who says the nuclear agreement has helped “make the region, and the world, a safer place”; the former head of Israeli military intelligence, Amos Yadlin, who says “tearing up the deal would create a dangerous void”; and former Israeli prime minister — and the country’s most decorated soldier — Ehud Barak, who says withdrawing from the deal would be a “mistake.”
So let’s be clear: On the one side, we have a dizzying array of serving and retired generals and spy chiefs from both the United States and Israel, none of whom are friends or fans of Iran, yet all of whom agree that the Islamic Republic is complying with the stringent terms of the JCPOA, and that the United States should stay in the deal because it bolsters U.S., regional, and global security.
And on the other side? A former property developer and reality TV star; a chicken hawk who wants to bomb everyone; a 32-year-old Gulf prince who can’t win a war against rebels from the poorest Arab country; and an allegedly corrupt politician who has been claiming Iran is “three to five years” away from a nuclear weapons capability since … 1992.
This isn’t about security or protecting American — or Israeli — cities from Iranian missiles. Trump & Co. aren’t trying to avoid war with Iran. They want war with Iran
#1: Vicomte13 To: Deckard (#0)
Israelis aren't Americans, and don't get a vote on American policy.
Vicomte13 posted on 2018-05-10 12:56:36 Reply Private Reply
#2: Vicomte13 To: Deckard (#0)
That's right. That's all they are, just generals, mere generals. They are not foreign policy experts. They are not economic experts. They're experts at warfighting. They're not experts at war prevention. Patton was a general. His "solution" to diplomatic tension was to suggest an invasion of the Soviet Union. Could we have won? If we went full Dr. Strangelove, sure. Same thing if we followed General MacArthur's war plan for Korea, which included dropping about 25 atomic bombs on China.
Yep, American generals sure know how to win war, or claim to. We haven't actually outright WON a war since 1945, but then, we haven't DECLARED any since then, so it's tough to calculate.
Why generals would have anything more cogent than anybody else to say about the foreign policy of influencing Iran is a wide open question.
My own experience with military people is that they know their trade well, and they know precisely fuck-all about diplomacy, economics, law or anything outside of their area of expertise.
So, MERE generals have MERE opinions about Iran is not grounds for much of a complaint. They have opinions. So do you. So do I. The fact they are generals gives them no greater expertise on foreign relations than you or I have.
Vicomte13 posted on 2018-05-10 13:25:52 Reply Private Reply
#3: Justified To: Deckard (#0)
This is insane. No good could ever come out of that agreement because if it was that good congress would have made the treaty.
There was no real agreement. It was just Obummer giving away tons of USD to a terrorist state who would pay Russia to help them make nukes and what was left be used to murder Americans all over the world.
I can tell you anything Obummer come up with is not for the benefit of America as a whole and will be used to harm the good people of US and the world.
Justified posted on 2018-05-10 18:18:31 Reply Private Reply
#4: nolu chan To: Deckard (#0)
The "robust" political agreement was neither a treaty nor an executive agreement. Rather, it was a document that was not signed by anybody, and is not legally binding on anybody, and is called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
It created no obligation for President Trump to extend sanction waivers. It could not create any such obligation without congressional approval which was neither sought nor obtained, likely because it was unobtainable. The sanctions are a matter of U.S. law. Sanction waivers require an annual renewal. President Trump is under no obligation to seek such a renewal.
Julia Frifield (State) to Mike Pompeo, ltr of 19 Nov 2015 re JCPOA
https://www.scribd.com/document/291042867/Letter-from-State-Department-Regarding-JCPOA
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[PDF] http://www.netadvisor.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Letter-from-State-Department-Regarding-JCPOA.pdf
nolu chan posted on 2018-05-10 20:09:16 Reply Private Reply
#5: Tooconservative To: Vicomte13 (#2)
Isn't this just another situation where Europe plays Good Cop and America plays Bad Cop? We've seen it before with Saddam in Iraq and with others. Add in some willingness to look the other way when some targeted dictator (Iraq, Iran, etc.) buys dual-use tech from ever-eager Brit/EU suppliers in return for lucrative oil contracts from major EU corporations.
In that light, the various Iran hawks and doves in Israel/EU/US are just playing their expected assigned roles. Oil deals, Russian military hardware contracts, the threat of a domestic WMD/nuclear program by the target, it's all a too-familiar pattern at this point.
Cue the Greek chorus of Jew generals singing a crowd favorite in the EU and in the Beltway...
Hey, maybe these generals could tour the EU like has-been American media stars do, badmouthing their own country for fun and profit.
Tooconservative posted on 2018-05-11 02:10:24 Reply Private Reply
#6: A Pole To: Justified, sneakypete, Pinguinite, Vicomte13, Tooconservative, Deckard (#3)
Civilized order both abroad and at home is based on agreements and some degree of trust. Same way property and with USD paper currency.
Remove that and we will have mere chaos, no countries, no society, so space for individual security. Until the new crude balance of power is established.
Nobody will be signing any deals, they will only either arm themselves or try to hide themselves.
Yes the strongest can win through force and rule the world, but you will not participate in this, you will be utilized as a fertilizer.
A Pole posted on 2018-05-11 04:33:58 Reply Private Reply
#7: Vicomte13 To: Tooconservative (#5)
Are you an anti-Semite?
The only Jewish flag officer I can think of is Admiral Rickover, and he was a genius who gave us the nuclear Navy.
Do you mean Israeli generals?
Protestants go non-linear when it comes to Jews, and it makes you sound like nuts.
Vicomte13 posted on 2018-05-11 06:54:10 Reply Private Reply
#8: Tooconservative To: Vicomte13 (#7)
After Roman Catholics like yourself conducted organized campaigns, approved by your church, to torture/murder/dispossess every Jew in Europe for many centuries, you do not get to lecture anyone on antisemitism. Ever.
Tooconservative posted on 2018-05-11 07:29:02 Reply Private Reply
#9: Justified To: A Pole, sneakypete, Pinguinite, Vicomte13, Tooconservative, Deckard (#6)
Terrible terrible deal for America but that's Obummer for you. Thank God Trump is routing out Obummers destructive deals!
I bet the rest of the anti-American leaders loved all these deals the traitorous Obama made to harm America! The only reason Obama got away with what he did Is because of the racist people protecting him. Those same people are attacking Trump for being pro-America.
Justified posted on 2018-05-11 08:20:04 Reply Private Reply
#10: Tooconservative To: Justified (#9)
Just like the failure by Wilson to get the Senate to ratify the treaty to establish the useless League of Nations after WW I.
C'mon, that's a pretty safe bet! LOL
Townhall, today:
Wayne Allyn Root: Obama. Erased.
Pat Buchanan: Are Bibi and Bolton in the Wheel House Now?
David Harsanyi: The Obama Legacy Deserves to Be Destroyed
Tooconservative posted on 2018-05-11 08:37:49 Reply Private Reply
#11: Justified To: Tooconservative (#10)
Justified posted on 2018-05-11 08:59:29 Reply Private Reply
#12: Tooconservative To: Justified (#11)
Trump has done a lot but no one can correct 25 years of bad policy that quick.
It's been more first aid than surgery. Much of the country was already on its back and expected things to get much worse, mostly due to the policies of the Xlinton/Bush/0bama gang, the Beltway bureaucrats, and their loyal cheerleaders in the media.
Trump is spending his political capital pretty well. And the Beltway can't stand it.
Tooconservative posted on 2018-05-11 09:42:56 Reply Private Reply
#13: sneakypete To: Justified (#11)
Can't wait to read about the fights and killings at family Sunday Dinners once the Bush League Conservatives start marrying and breeding with the Bubba and Bathhouse Barry crowd.
I can see it now,"MY idiot traitor is smarter than YOUR idiot traitor!"
"No he's not,and you take that back or I will stamp my little feets and hold my breath until I turn blue!"
etc,etc,etc.
I would like to recommend shotguns at 5 paces. It's the only humane thing to do.
sneakypete posted on 2018-05-11 09:58:56 Reply Private Reply
#14: sneakypete To: Tooconservative (#12)
No,but Trump has done enough he has the professional pols and their supporters in both branches of the left running scared. Somebody is about to overturn their gravy boats,and if it keeps going,they MIGHT just loose their access to the public treasury!
sneakypete posted on 2018-05-11 10:00:59 Reply Private Reply
#15: sneakypete To: Deckard (#0)
Ok,all these Generals,who all understand they took oaths to follow orders and never involve themselves in politics,suddenly decided to say these things in public over the last few days?
Why is it I have a hard time believing that.
As for it "being bad for Israel",the last time *I* checked America wasn't a state under the dominion of Israel,and we ain't their daddy,either. It's PAST time our leaders started worrying about America,and letting Israel worry about Israel.
sneakypete posted on 2018-05-11 10:28:17 Reply Private Reply
#16: sneakypete To: Vicomte13 (#1)
AND....,IF they really did say those things in public,they are being insubordinate and violating their oaths.
Israelis aren't Americans, and don't get a vote on American policy.
Bleep them AND the camel they rode in on.
sneakypete posted on 2018-05-11 10:30:34 Reply Private Reply
#17: sneakypete To: Tooconservative (#5)
ALL "the beltway" cares about is them getting a cut of any and every deal signed,and from THEIR POV,NO deal is a bad deal if they get to dip their beaks in it.
sneakypete posted on 2018-05-11 10:49:30 Reply Private Reply
#18: Justified To: Tooconservative (#12)
I guess we will find out if the "Deepstate" is willing to kill America to get its power back?
I also wonder if Trump has a 2nd wave plan past killing off Obama's legacy of hate America first.;)
Justified posted on 2018-05-11 11:53:19 Reply Private Reply
#19: Vicomte13 To: Tooconservative (#8)
Yeah, I do. We've already changed the country from what it was. The Irish, then the Germans, then the Italians and Poles and Hungarians. As the country filled up with Catholics, we got labor laws, we got 40 hour workweeks and mandatory pensions, we got Social Security and Welfare and Medicaid and Medicare. We ended segregation.
And the Latinos keep flowing in. We'll eventually have good universal education and universal health care, we'll get rid of the death penalty, and we'll limit abortion.
And then we'll stop, because that's the right set point for things.
Cotton Mather was right: it was always about religion. And it always will be.
Yep, the Catholic Church sure did some terrible things in the past. And we face up, 'fess up, and change.
You guys never face up or 'fess up, and so you die out and are replaced, by us, from foreign lands.
In the end, our ideas win. And that's good, because they're better.
Vicomte13 posted on 2018-05-11 13:24:37 Reply Private Reply
#20: Tooconservative To: Vicomte13 (#19)
The Latino wave is receding. In the end, Asian migration will slowly pull ahead.
Tooconservative posted on 2018-05-11 13:35:14 Reply Private Reply
#21: Vicomte13 To: Tooconservative (#20)
And with it, more Christianity with a statist bent. Ok.
Vicomte13 posted on 2018-05-11 13:49:01 Reply Private Reply
#22: Vicomte13 To: Tooconservative (#20)
Before that, Texas will be a Latino state that favors universal health care and better public education.
Vicomte13 posted on 2018-05-11 13:51:20 Reply Private Reply