Trump is a lousy negotiator.
he mow has TWO high octane negotiations on the table: North Korea, and Iran.
I think he is going to be taken to the cleaners by Kim Jung-un.
I think he is not going to even get to the table withthe Iranians.
Trump is going to prove that he is a loser, in public, with nowhere to hide.
5
What better way to save his disgraceful Presidency than for Trump to set us on a course for war with both Iran and North Korea? The blood of our children to be shed for his stupidity and ego.
4
Oh this is making me sick.
Trump is doing something horrible to America, and we will never be seen the same way again.
What motivates this person?
He is just flat destructive.
7
Trump continues on just being Trump. We should all be used to the idea by now that our country is being led by an incompetent buffoon. Evidently he is what we deserve though because he is still in office, creating chaos and making the same reckless decisions without consequence.
5
As several have pointed out here, DT wants a war so that as the next full election approaches, he can get re-elected. Americans don't tend to switch leaders in war time.
Not to mention that anything to take the heat off the daily Russian probe revelations is a bonus for him.
7
Fool Trump wants war. Netanyahu wants war. War with a country of 80 million people? Think about it folks. I've never felt so much hate for my country.
6
Uh, Nicky, if Bolton is "smart," what constitutes the cognitive state of being that is "smart?" being able to lie and bully with no concern for facts and fairness?
The language we Americans use is well and truly without meaning anymore.
4
I think the 'temper tantrum' idea applies to just about all of this Administration's policies, domestic and foreign. If it was accomplished by the last real POTUS, it must be dismantled, regardless of cost. The American kleptocrats that supported and continue to support this corrupt President* make money, America and middle-class Americans suffer, including those who were duped into thinking a used-car salesman was a "dealmaker". Our current President*, and his Crony Cabinet, are aided and abetted by the GOP, who've descended to a level that is astonishing to witness...the Swamp is Rising! You could pick a single thing from the last two weeks (payoff to porn star, serial adulterer, shady payoffs from Russians, self-enrichment, complete incompetence, golf vacation in office) and imagine it would have taken down another man in another time. But I guess we all have to be good at something, and it's clear that the GOP, and its Dear Leader, are good at being ROTTEN.
7
Why is anyone who has followed Mr. Trump since he announced his run for office surprised at his isolationism, racism, jingoism, nationalism, and utter lack of respect for the American people, traditions, and laws? Leaving aside his deceptions, diversions, and lies, the kindest explanation I can think of for his blather, apart from the possibility of a congenital case of either syphilis or spleen, is affection for the late Admiral Radford's lunatic advocacy of a Fortress America strategy. Putin would not object to it.
3
Trump is and always will be a vandal. He is shallow, bigoted and self centered to such an extent that he will continue to destroy our country and those who count on us. He listens to no one and his focus is almost always on eliminating all that Obama did. So where does that put our Republican representatives?
6
His ego will be death of all of us.
7
This fiasco doesn't belong to Trump alone. Note that the only world leader cheering him on is Netanyahu. That's the real source of this stupidity, that Trump has no qualms about. We need to ask 'why?'.
6
These wars will end when the American people decide they have expended enough in their own blood and treasure on behalf of a militant and racist Israel and the oil despots of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
6
With a geriatric war-mongerer in the guise of Bolton pulling the strings, a major life-wasting war is in the offing. The old men like Bolton and Trump NEVER personally participate on the battlefield. The eternal class wars in America guarantee that only the lumpenproletariat from the inner cities, recent immigrants, and the American Hateland will have to risk getting maimed and killed for dubious games of revenge. The Islamist regime of Tehran is detestable --- yet even Reagan and Bush Sr. did not entertain the idea of overthrowing the ayatollahs for obvious reasons of messy geopolitical fallout. America, invest in the mortuary industry-- between the opioids epidemic and the announced war, lots of money to be made in disposing of prematurely deceased young Americans !
3
A Thomas Paine quotation, " These are the times that try men's souls". Mr. Kristof said "t" vandalizes the Iran deal and that's bad enough, but he also vandalizes every other good thing that was put in place by his predecessors. He doesn't know what he is doing to our country because he doesn't read anything or cares to understand anything. He desperately wants a war with anyone. Will he send his kids off to war or will they have inherited his bone spurs? Aren't there any decent republicans who can contain this unhinged person.
4
Did Russia want this Iran deal scuttled?
1
Yes, Trump is a vandal (and a lot worse). But I believe that there is SOMEONE out there, some Deep Throat who has Trump’s income tax returns or other damaging information that could at least make some of the Republicans in Congress hesitate, and the rest of the electorate turn out in a Blue Wave in November. To that person, whoever you are, PLEASE come forward with your information NOW, while there is even a little bit of this country’s reputation left, and while we still have a country to save. I, for one, have little appetite to die for one of Trump’s blunders. I expect the passengers on the Titanic thought the same thing of their captain, and look how much good it did them.
So, Deep Throat 2.0, please speak up now. The life you save may be your own.
6
In the middle of the Swedish night, probably 03:00 h my time, I heard on BBC World Radio (via vpr.net) some kind of spokesman from the Heritage Foundation state quite simply and directly.
The US must bomb Iranian nuclear facilities now, it must not wait.
Such a statement seems to be completely insane to me - totally, completely insane - but since it is made by a presumably sane reasonably well educated American I see no reason at all to take comfort in my obviously wrong assumptions: 1) After the catastrophe we caused by attacking Iraq, no American president would try again, 2) To attack a country that has not started a single war in my lifetime is something the USA often called world leader could not imagine doing.
So much for my assumptions.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
5
Make America Great Again - throw Donald Trump out of the White House as soon as possible. This country deserves better.
5
Since us foreign policy is run from and by Riyadh and tel Aviv, with additional contributions from their Las Vegas lobby, do we even need a state department any more? Are there any self-respecting diplomats left there, or is it now stuffed with self-preservationists who're in it for their own sake?
7
Sitting presidents and their parties generally fare well in elections during war or on its brink. With no rational or constructive or positive strategies for averting a rout in November, our disgusting grabber-in-chief hopes this plan will be a winner. That it may end not merely with the usual American shedding of others’ blood but also quite conceivably with bloodshed in our own soil seems of no consequence or concern to him at all.
1
One word eviscerates an entire statement.
"For now, the inspectors agree that Iran is *essentially* in compliance."
Except that they deny access to military nuclear sites. But they are essentially compliant.
"North Korea was secretly evading the framework, so tough negotiation was required "
What makes you assume that Iran isn't secretly evading their framework - especially since now, there is proof that they lied in order to get it?
Add in that the $$ they get from it goes into destabilizing Lebanon, Syria, Kurd ruled areas, Yemen, etc.
"Ah .. we were too foolish to get that into the agreement that they lied to get but we have to keep our word."
In general, in courts of law, agreements are not considered valid or binding if obtained by subterfuge or if those agreeing to them were not fully & accurately informed. Iran stated that they are not going for the Bomb. They were. They hid nuclear facilities. They were supposed to destroy 15,000 centrifuges; they just took them off line; they replaced inefficient ones with ones that are much more efficient & they deny access to other facilities.
But *essentially* they are in compliance.
Hitler too, was in compliance when he massively increased the size of his armed forces & the quality and size of their weapons. Essentially.
"[Iran] could use its proxies in Lebanon to stir up a war with Israel." They are doing that NOW Nick. That's why their proxies have 150,000 missiles & they are building plants to make them more accurate!
1
Well, a splendid little war WOULD change the subject from Stormy Daniels, Michael Cohen and a few other pesky matters.
3
As the horrified -- but impotent -- adults in the room, we need to sit back and let Donald go around with a hammer and wreak whatever damage he'll do.
Then, finally, after he has lost interest, we can put him to bed and begin to repair the damage.
1
Israel wants the US to inaugurate regime change in Iran. It doesn't want to be bothered with doing it themselves. Trump stepped right up to do Bibi's bidding. I guess we should be glad its not Putin whose pathway to war we're forging. Still, it is hard to sleep at night.
'
4
So, uh, Donnie, now that you've decided to withdraw from the Iran deal and shown the whole rest of the world that a promise from the United States is worthless, that this country and its government cannot be expected to live up to the agreements it previously had made, how do you think that Korean summit and negotiation is going to work out?
There goes you Nobel Peace Prize.
2
Gosh. If only President Obama had at his disposal a constitutional mechanism whereby an international deal could have been placed out of the next president's reach. What would it be called, I wonder.
Live by executive action, die by executive action.
2
This man is a fool, he does not understand the world and the consequences of his actions upon us. He does not care about anyone else but himself, his ratings and his base. He does not care about the United States, about the harm he is doing to all of us. He and his warmonger friends will hopefully one day be held accountable and maybe even to jail for the malice, the damage, the lies and the dishonesty that has prevailed since November 2016. All they want is war and they may well get it either form Iran or North Korea. I do not believe that Kim Jung Un, who is much more politically savvy and smart than the US President will actually go through with the talks. This is all a charade for which we will pay dearly. The Trump voters have a lot to explain. They elected a dictator, they bear full responsibility for this nightmare.
1
Nick
You got it just right. Trump had to wreck the Iran agreement because Obama built it. So much winning! Now if he can jail Hillary.
1
For Trump and the Republican party now and in 2020, there will be blood!
1
His plan, break deal, Iran builds more nuclear weapons, we go to war.
2
Here is what the brilliant strategist Bibi Netanyahu said about the U.S. invasion of Iraq. "If you take out Saddam's regime, I guarantee you that it will have ENORMOUS positive reverberations on the region." He sounds like Dick Chaney.
It's his advice that Trump seems to be taking instead of listening to the leaders of Great Britain, France, and Germany.
3
Bolton goading Trump into another Mideast war is as bad as Giuliani giving him legal advice. What could go wrong?
3
D J T-Rump firmly believes that to be called a strong-man is a complement.
Especially in his case, it's hard to tell which part of the term is more inaccurate; the adjective or the noun.
How many Republican leaders support the deal?
2
I can hear Bolton cackling with glee. If this leads to war, let's send him to the front lines to lead our troops. The war should be over in a matter of days or weeks. Just like Iraq.
3
Trump is an anti-establishment guy, but trying to destroy this country or this world is not the right thing to do.
If America falls, he will fall too and pay dearly. I seriously doubt that Trump has suicidal tendencies but his racism
might push him over the edge.
2
Trump hates to appear 'weak'. To deviate from any of his election promises make him appear 'weak'. That's his bottom line in all of this. We can be sure he is going to deliver on all of his promises. Because it's all about how he 'appears' in his mind. Everything else is secondary.
America has been a grave problem to the world....now it seems to have become even a greater problem to,America the nation and the state!
With Trumps and Boltons in charge , a potential Iran and an any minute North Korea on the loose, they , the belligerent duo, are a far greater security risk to America than Russia, China or even Iran could ever be.
America elected Trump much like an old long married man taking a mistress !
Pleasant for some time .....extremely unsettling long term !
1
Sanctions did not stop one of the poorest countries in the world, North Korea, from developing nuclear weapons. Years of sanctions did not stop Iran from making progress toward developing nuclear weapons technology. It was close to developing nuclear weapons when the Obama administration stepped in and did the right thing to stop it from proceeding further. Most important, all through the deal-making process, President Obama and the European allies whose support he enlisted in his efforts treated Iran with respect.
Now Mr. Trump is so stupid as to think that both Iran and our European allies are going to cooperate with him in negotiating a new deal. He has forfeited their trust forever.
Kristof is right: Trump’s goal in destroying the Iran nuclear deal that is working is “to dismantle some of Obama’s legacy.” I would go a step further and say that it is part of his vindictive and jealous campaign to dismantle all of Obama legacy.
3
It is not just vandalism. Trump has now handed the future of the Middle East to Israel. Israel’s leaders have made no secret about how happy they would be to have an excuse to hit Iran. Trump just gave them the go-ahead. Then, of course, we will need to support our ally and we will have full-blown chaos in the Middle East, if not nuclear war. Good job, Trump. You really are a madman.
4
Vandalism for sure. Even more debris to add to the waist-high sludge.
3
Without the Iran agreement in place, Israel will attack Iran with cover from the US. Likely framed by some false provocation to legitimize the action- Gulf of Tonkin anyone? Netanyahu is a complete hawk and trump a wannabe bad boy.
4
Trump has proven himself adept at destruction; Obama’s care, Paris accords, DACA, and the Iran nuclear treaty. Now we get to see how adept he is at creating something better.
Sent from my iPad
4
You can safely add 24.000 per European household to that bill, for having to deal with the terrorism and refugee fall-out of Saddam's military and secret service rank regrouping and transforming into Isis. Thanks USA.
But hey, no big deal, now Trump demands another 24.000 per European household to waste on the 'glory tab' of the Military Industrial Complex, instead of bringing it to useful fruition in healthcare, education, infrastructure, the advance of science, a speeded conversion to less pollution and global heating etc.
It is significant that even the most influential Trump supporter of all Europe, Boris Johnson, without whom Brexit's reckless bet on the U.S. saving Britain from its bold move for stupid isolation would never have come to pass, deserted Trump these days by begging and pleading with him to save the Iran peace deal.
Trump has now broken the most sacred transatlantic ally bond, just so Big Oil is assured once again of a rising oil price at indefinite costs of human suffering.
Way to go.
What's next?
3
Once the Dread Tyrant Trump [DTT] chose Bolton this was inevitable.
Trump could have left this deal to expire beyond his term (hopefully not terms). But now he owns it. Will his 39% actually back him in an unnecessary war with more unpaid for military expenditures.
Bibi will be determining for Bobo the Clown when that war will commence.
Also, he shot himself in the foot with No. Korea.
What will North Korea think about cutting an agreement with a deal breaker? Seems like it's a win-win for Kim. He can get his photo-ops with the DTT as an equal, and then turn down any deal with the U.S. as being untrustworthy, while cozying up to So. Korea.
2
I’m so weary of journalists and talking heads asking what the strategy is for anything Trump does. As if he is capable of any kind of thoughtful or even rudimentary strategy. All I can see is a petty, petulant small man willing to undo anything our last president did. The Bolton’s of the world have political agendas and world views. . Don’t give Trump that much credit.
1
Pulling out of the Iran deal is Step One
Step Two: Fire Mueller and Rosenstein.
Step Three: Start a War with Iran.
Steep Three: Whip up the public to “support the troops” and rally around The President.
Step Four: Use the time between now and 2020 to wreck Iran’s economy and infrastructure, killing thousand of Iranian civilians in the process.
Step Five: Declare “Victory” and win re-election.
2
“So what’s the point of this other than ‘Iranians are bad people and we’re going to hurt them.’ What’s the strategy other than a temper tantrum?”
My answer: Because he can.
Trump's so-called strategy has nothing to do with making the world safer and more peaceable, respecting the law and our allies, or doing anything positive for anyone (but himself).
Trump's personality and his business life are not serving our country well, as he wings it playing POTUS. Trump is a real estate developer, considered by many who dealt with him to be a liar, con artist, and a hack; he was considered crass, tacky, an embarrassing showoff, and an outcast by social and economic elites.
Trump goes it alone, getting by on raw aggression rather than cooperation which he sees as "weakness." Trump controls and calls the shots, to the point he will rebelliously do the opposite of what he is told or expected to do.
So, why Trump pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear deal?
1. He is temperamentally unfit and unsuited to the job of president of a democratic, powerful global nation. Because he is a loner, shuns diplomacy and cooperation, and he only cares about himself. He does not care a whit about others (people, countries, allies, protocol, laws, decency, ethics, tradition).
2. He personally feels more comfortable with Netanyahu and the Saudis than with our allies in Britain, Germany, and France. The former fed his ego, the latter group does not except superficially to get him to do something.
2
Most normal people cannot begin to fathom the time and effort narcissists like Trump go to in order to discredit predecessors, competitors or those who oppose them. Backing out of this deal has nothing to do with policy or keeping campaign promises. It is all about Trump undercutting Obama to make Trump feel more important, more powerful and get attention, no matter what the world-wide stakes or consequences. Narcissists are incapable of creating success, so they create chaos and disaster instead. I worked for the office version of Trump and watched that supervisor dismantle our team and our program to the point where the supervisor had to be removed and an outsider brought in. By then, things were so bad the outsider left within a year. Republicans need to held accountable for letting Trump's absurd behavior go on day after day after day.
1
This is BibI Netanyahu who in 2001 was recorded privately gloating about his slippery violation of the Oslo accords:
""They asked me before the election if I'd honor [the Oslo accords]... I said I would, but [that] I'm going to interpret the accords in such a way that would allow me to put an end to this galloping forward to the '67 borders. How did we do it? Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I'm concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone. Go argue .... Why is that important? Because from that moment on I stopped the Oslo Accords"
So Trump is following the playbook of a man who breached his country's own most important peace treaty. Moreover, even in the 1990s Netanyahu in Washington DC, amongst Republicans from the Reagan administration was a byword for untrustworthiness and dishonesty - a view that is expressed in all the foreign ministries of Europe.
It looks like this is Trump's role model, and the reputation he wants to attach to the United States. That should go well....
This is a really good example of cruel math. $24,000 per household to invade Iraq. Paul Ryan's tax cut returns an average of $2,000 a year to Wisconsin residents over ten years. There's a $20,000 return. Net loss $4000. However, neither program was properly financed. The cost of Iraq isn't fixed at $3 trillion. That number continues to increase. Meanwhile, the cut is going to starve out social programs that Americans rely on. That or Republicans are once again passing the burden of American prosperity to someone else. Trump and Ryan will be long gone by the time America feels the true consequence of their decisions. The future suffers for selfishness of today's Trump supporters. If they're offended by my disdain, they should be. I'm done with political niceties. I only regret I can't find more offensive words to speak my mind.
1
So just imagine you are North Korea why would you ever even entertain a deal with Trumps America. He is surrounded by people who somehow believe that America has the right and power to force regime change around the world.
A nuclear weapon is the ultimate spoiler to those plans. Israel has long been the only nuclear power in the Middle East and will do whatever is necessary to keep themselves as the only nuclear power. This situation give Israel first strike capability over all of its surrounding Arab states.
Nuclear weapons have eliminated all out war as we have known it since the end of world war 2. Once two combatants have nuclear weapons all out war is off the table. Like any rational human I would prefer there were no nuclear weapons but also as a thinking rational human I can see and understand why a country would want one. Essentially they have become defensive in nature, if I'm nuclear armed an attack is highly unlikely as I have the ability to destroy both of our nations. Now are all the intricacies of the geo political implications of nuclear capability understood by Trump? Doubtful at best.
1
Mr. Kristof, you nailed it in the first paragraph. Trump has rebooted his road show of late, in part because he gets the dopamine hit from pure adulation at a time when he is confounded at so many turns. He is also essentially on the stump in support of getting his base motivated to vote in the midterm elections. What better way to play to that base than to take a dump, almost literally, on one of Obama's signature accomplishments? It's no more complicated than that. Trump neither understands nor gives a gnat's eyelash about the long term implications and complex foreign policy considerations of such a move. Foolish beyond measure. A dilettante president if there ever was one.
1
He thinks he can negotiate a better deal? Who would want to deal with a negotiator who has made his mark by breaking deals?
1
"Vandalism" captures the mentality of the thing, doesn't it.
1
Kristof says Trump pulled out from the nuclear deal because it was Obama's deal. May be, but mainly because it was a bad deal and Trump thinks he could get a better deal now when Iran is weak than after 10 years when Iran will be more powerful. Israel and Saudi Arabia, the two neighbors of Iran, think Trump's decision is a right one. Kristof writes this way because he thinks Trump can't do anything good and Obama can't do anything wrong.
2
Just as 'Obamacare' gained in popularity as Trump tried to destroy it, so too may the value of the Iran deal be accentuated now that it's gone. So Trump may end up magnifying Obama's achievements.
Maybe we and the world would be better off without Donald Trump, John Bolton, and Benjamin Netanyahu trying to withdraw from the Iran Deal. Are the Iranians totally trustworthy? No. The bottom line must be that that the world is safer with the Iran Deal than without it. If this is mostly about Trump and his vindictive pettiness, then God help us all. My theory has always been follow the money. Just the other day I heard Trump say words to the effect we were more likely to become involved in an even bigger arms race if we stick with the deal. Might that be another of the administration's smokescreens? The truth could well be be just the opposite. Sticking with the Iran Deal ensures greater stability, thus killing some lucrative defense contracts. Obviously Netanyahu has an agenda, and his grounds for pulling out of the deal seem shaky and self serving. John Bolton might be crazier than Trump and that is saying a lot. This could be a rare instance where Trump should isolate even more. The "help" he is getting may be pushing Trump even closer to a nervous breakdown, and the world towards all out war.
1
Trump wants a war, that's been obvious. But lets not forget the other 800 lb gorilla inthis matter. Israel has been pushing us into starting a war with Iran for decades. Israel has been an active partner with Trump and the GOP in general in not only sabotaging this deal but trying to have kept it from being signed in the first place.
It's been said that breaking deals like this will sour the chances on other countries entering treaties with the U.S. What many forget is that is precisely what the anti-globalist brigade wants. They want America to return not to being the World's Policeman, but the bully that extorts what it wants.
Pulling out of Iran deal has nothing to do with whether it is a good or a bad or disastrous deal, as Trump calls it. I’m sure, he has not read or know what the deal is about, he wants to destroy another important accomplishment of Mr. Obama, without thinking of dangerous consequences his action can create. Now, for sure, we’re standing alone, because other countries who signed on this deal,are standing with Iran. It won’t be a surprise, if we enter another unnecessary, long drawn war, killing innocent people from both side, and for what purpose?
Why not keep the JCPOA in tact, but rachet up sanctions over Iran’s missile program, its support of terrorism and other bad acts? Why not couple that with an offer to negotiate complementary agreements that would stand alongside the JCPOA.
1
The card-shuffler in chief, upheld by Republicans, has crossed a red-line. He, ergo the Republicans are essentially threatening Europe. They are betraying history.
I hope that it is not, but this may be the US swan-song.
Kristof is on target, but I don't see how Iran is any more 'untrustworthy' than our own regime, and after all, their regime was only able to take power in '79 because the US supported the Shah's torture regime for decades, after we overthrew the democratically-elected government in the early '50s to install that same Shah. And please, when talking about Iran and the Mideast, it would be great if just one NY times columnist would mention that Israel has nukes, thus providing some rationale for evil Iran's earlier nuclear program.
1
Trump's petty narcissism has eroded America's moral authority, reputation and leadership. His spiteful ignorance continues to destabilize the world and could lead to wars on multiple fronts. As has been noted Mr. Trump is good at blowing things up but he seems unable and unwilling to do the hard work of solving problems. We are witnessing the decline of America's standing and influence which, based on what this Administration seems to stand for, may not be a bad thing.
Trump is vandalizing America. Aided and abetted by Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin. Trump is employing the same methods that he used in his inherited wealth real empire to fail in every business effort that he concocted on his own. Trump has violated his solemn sworn oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution in his rush to profit from being President of the United States.
1
If Mr. Trump could resurrect Osama Bin Laden I believe he would, just to make sure he could undo everything President Obama did.
Trump seems to believe that justice is vengeance satisfied. For whatever reason, the hatred he has for his predecessor in the oval office seems to govern his thoughts and actions regardless of negative effects on the American people, or the rest of the world. His core goal has been to discredit and destroy Obama’s record. Does he actually represent the will of the American electorate when, just a short time ago, Obama left office after two terms on good terms with the electorate?
Re: The Title: Trump Vandalizes the Iran Deal
"Vandalizes" is not the correct word. It means deliberate destruction or damage. And that, of course is not what the President has done.
I think that he will succeed with a new deal.
1
What we have is a chief executive who has a completely unrealistic view of the world.
He believes that the U.S., by will and military might, can control the actions of other countries.
He believes that "winning" means that the U.S. gets everything that it wants from international negotiations.
He believes that national glory comes from war.
In sum, Donald Trump is a danger to the republic. It's not only that he is utterly corrupt and a tool of Vladimir Putin. It's also that he is showing that he will take this country to war rather than accept that we are not actually the dominator of the world.
33
• Some in the international community will regard the actions of President Trump and of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and see Khamenei as more of a statesman.
Who isn't? At this point even North Korea's 'Rocket Man', Kim Jong-un, with his tiny 'button' is.
Amerdeca FIRST? In what, isolation?
1
It was strange to read that Iran would try to “peel off” America’s traditional European allies. The Trump Administration has been walking away from America’s traditional allies for some time. And what happens if Russia takes Iran’s side? One quick wire transfer could change everything.
At some point, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China will realize that appeasement of the Trumpists will not work.
2
We all dance around the evidence. Donald Trump has demonstrated that he is Anerica’s number one national security threat. Elected Republicans recognize it but also know that acknowledging that fact will invariably increase the likelihood that their own political careers will be shortened. Their response is to fight furiously to sanitize Trump so they can stay in Washington for another term.
2
Trump appears to crave two things. Money and Attention. Legislators have the power to end his monetization of the White House through enforcement of the emoluments clause. Media could assist. Don't cover any event at a Trump property, owned or licensed. Don't cover Trump. Ignore Melania. Agree that we know everything about the character of this family and cover one other person with the same zeal. Ten headlines every day in NYT about one interesting and charismatic person who makes the world more wonderful. Monty Don and his gardens on Monday! Joyce Didonato and her gorgeous voice for Tuesday! Move through the arts, science, medicine, cover one individual in front page multiple
features every day. Pick a disaster and give us sad Saturdays.
From every angle. Turn the news inside out. If you are addicted to Trump, put him in small font, under the want ads, used/for-sale. Back page. With the trash.
Iran only concerns POTUS as it relates to Obama's superior intellect and achievements. An unnamed Russia related interest may be in play. Cover it when the facts are out, w/ no pictures of an old buy in bronzer and a bad dye job.
Nick -- the Iran deal was merely an attempt by Obama to build his legacy. Despite all the huffing and puffing from the left, no one has yet to identify what might have been good about the deal. The only way the deal would have been worth the paper it was printed on is if Iran gave inspectors complete access to all sites, any time, any place. And at best we might have gotten a short hiatus in Iran's program (no guarantee of that without complete verification capability). In return we gave them 100 billion, lifted sanctions and allowed them to start selling oil.
Has it changed Iran's actions? No. They are still the leading exporter of terror in the middle east. Has it changed their ambitions? No. They want to be the leading power in the region. And perhaps beyond.
Iran is dangerous and a nuclear armed Iran even more. What the left can't stand is the possibility that not only will the Trump economy continue to grow, but if on top of that Trump brings peace to NK, forces Iran to behave and give up their nuclear ambitions (not postpone) and continues to confront Russia and stall their ambitions -- that would be unacceptable.
1
"The reason for Trump’s decision seems obvious: The deal was President Barack Obama’s."
Perhaps, but that does not change the fact that the deal was bad, a sweetheart deal as Mr. Stephens points out today which benefits Iran while it wreaks havoc in the Middle East and at best prevents it from going nuclear for a short time.
"Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be itching for a joint American-Israeli strike on Iran."
Mr. Kristof, perhaps you have not noticed but Israel is already at war with Iran in Syria. Iran can strike anywhere in Israel, at least until the Israel Air Force destroys the rockets which they do from time to time or prevents retaliatory strikes of Iran on anywhere and everywhere in Israel.
So Mr. Kristof, why do you give Iran a pass on this? Let them get out of Syria and then let's see how serious they are on nuclear deals.
2
It is chilling that we have to question that a president's motives are other than the best interests of the country. While there is always debate about what our bests interests are, none of them is that "when he fires missiles, he is hailed as presdiential."
When will we ask the question, what’s wrong with our democracy that we need to elect a president like Trump?
2
This is Donald Trump, the Casino Builder part II. The Casino is built and the contractors did the work as specified. He has leverage and the small business owner who did the floor or glass or painting work does not. So, Trump will not pay and his lawyers coerce the contractor to accept 75% of the agreed to price. Why? Because he can line his pockets and because he can. There are enough contractors out there so that he will still find contractors for his next project. But these are countries. They may not have enough immediate leverage over the US, but this will have significant implications into the future: 1. Other countries will be leery of entering into agreements with the US, and 2. They will try to amass leverage of other kinds (terrorism, chemical weapons, cyber attacks, fake news etc). Trump may get a deal where Iran is made to accept greater restrictions on its actions today. But the price paid to get there has been high.
1
Could you and Brent Stephens have a dialog on these pages? I agree with you. And I do not under Mr. Stephens’s logic, but would welcome dialog to further enlighten me to the conservative thinking on this subject. Because right now, it looks like Trump is itching for a big war that will help him out from under his legal troubles. I want to understand how and why conservatives are following him in this.
1
Seldom did the whole world was united on one issue, except possibly on the Bush conquest of Iraq, as it is now with Trump’s pulling out, and attempts to pullout the EU, from a deal of very wide universal implications as does, or did?, the Iran nuclear deal
On top of its declared objective , and no less if not more basic objective , the USA move is Trumps attempt to reimpose Amrerican authority on the whole world while visibly defying both Russia and China and demonstrating their inability to do do nothing when faced with American determination!
As such. With America harbouring omnipotence , the whole world should stand up in defiance and reject this American attempt, it is an American Issue, not a Trump issue!
The world The whole world, should defy America and oppose its semi declared intentions to be the the one and only power
,
A great deal of everybody’s future depends on that!
What other treaties and agreements will Trump rip up? Will other governments - including friendly ones - still trust the US to keep its word? Is America trustworthy right now?
Too bad that the pallets containing hundreds of millions of US cash did not produce a better deal at the time. Pallet Diplomacy is presumably over-rated. Perhaps a better deal was obtainable - if only President Obama had not been so stingy.
6
Your comment is in dire need of fact checking. You have been conned by propaganda. Take five minutes to research the facts.
2
Simplistic comment that mirrors Trump’s simplistic transactional view of the world. The cash was owned by Iranians and held by the US as part of the sanctions. Part of the deal was to release it. It’s like saying that Kim Jong Un would be considered an oaf for releasing the hostages held in N Korea in exchange for a 1-1 with Trump. That would be a pretty small price - giving back what you took for a good deal.
Oh, yes, the 'pallets of cash'! Remind me of the details. You can't? Here, it's not that hard:
http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2017/jun/06/karen-handel/Ha...
Again, all you have is Obama hate. That is it. Snarky 'pallet diplomacy' cuteness. You are proving the point that trump followers only want to spit on the name of Obama, not pursue policies that work for the millions of Americans trump claims to work for.
Just admit it. You like the smash and trash, and that's it.
1
Given payments by a Russian oligarch to Trumps lawyers, as well as, pay to play payments by ATT also to Trumps lawyer. Trump should not be allowed to make any decisions regarding foreign or domestic policy. This is far beyond WaterGate.
19
Outside of using his presidential pulpit as a mouthpiece, Trump has absolutely nothing to do with any of this. So stop putting us on, the world is awake and unwilling to buy into any more of this out of touch malevolence, orchestrated by hidden elements lurking behind the scenes, who don't seem to fully comprehend where we are, or that their time is over, we won't be fooled again.
2
This decision also raises the question: what do the Saudis have on Trump?
Putting aside the fact that the decision pleases his pal Netanyahu, the two major powers contending for dominance in the Middle East are Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Saudis may have urged this decision as part of a secret deal with Trump over his properties and the financing of them, but it is foolish for them too since it will bring the day of regional war closer.
The U.S. is already aligned with Saudi Arabia. This decision alienates our longtime allies while making us a non-factor in bring peace to the Middle East.
It's also a petty and thoughtless decision, as this column makes clear.
12
The checks and balances between the executive branch and the legislative branch are broken.
How can one person, the President, do so much damage to our foreign relations, with no checks from the Senate? Doesn't the Constitution say the President is supposed to carry out foreign policy with the advice and consent of the Senate?
I fear it will take decades to undo the damage being done by the current president. Our nation's prestige and influence will be diminished for years. I would beg the Senate and Congress to take back control of foreign policy.
With the scuttling of the agreement on Iran, the Middle East may be headed towards war. Of course, our presidents seem to have the authority to wage war without Congressional approval. Another failure of checks and balances.
8
"How can one person, the President, do so much damage to our foreign relations, with no checks from the Senate? "
That is what happens when a president bypasses congress.
Obama knew that this agreement was so unpopular that it would never be ratified by the legislature and so he went around congress and entered into a nonbinding agreement on his own.
1
I agree with Kristoff's assessment, except for the motivation. I think that there are two other reasons more important than the desire to spite Obama: One is pressure from the pro-Israel camp, and the second is eagerness of the neocons to start another war.
15
Trump is living more in his own isolation with only petty thieves, war hawks and Fox and friends to advise him. He has less intellect and curiosity then many elementary school students. God help this country.
21
"Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said this week that the nuclear deal could remain in place even if the Americans pull out." If so, then, this sounds like a non-problem: The seven other signatories will keep their word, the agreement remains in effect, and we all live happily everafter. More or less.
Is America really the only player that counts? Maybe we are no longer essential to every move on the world's chessboard.
13
I gather that one result of the US resuming sanctions will be a reduction in Iranian oil output, which will lead to a rise in oil prices. This in turn will of course increase production from other countries...like Russia, which today is pretty much totally dependent on petro dollars. So one foreseeable consequence is that Americans will spend more money for gas, and Russia will get more money.
Trump may not be intentionally acting to further Russian interests over American ones, but that does seem to be the result. Putin is certainly getting the benefit of all the energy he put into getting Trump elected - unlike the Americans who were conned into voting for him.
16
When oil prices go up, American oil companies benefit as well, and will contribute more to Trump's re-election campaign.
5
And, by withdrawing from the multilateral deal with Iran, further dividing us from our historic allies in Europe, weakening the NATO alliance. On the Russian wish list.
The president said this was a horrible one-sided deal that never ever should have been made. Well, Mr. President, the same could be said of your deal with Stormy Daniels. Further in your speech, you called the agreement an embarrassment to the United States. Again, the same observation applies to your Stormy Daniels deal. Earlier this year, and during your campaign, you complained about all the money given away in this deal. I think we can all agree that giving away $130,000 to Stormy and then not even signing the deal was stupid too.
Bottom line, Mr Trump, when you begin trashing "this deal," it is very difficult to determine which deal you're referring too.
7
Well, exactly. The worst of this is that Trump continues to throw away every advantage the United States had in the world... for what?! The Iranians, Chinese, Russians are just loving this tweeting disaster. Our friends are in despair. So am I.
14
He has made the United States the ridiculous country. Of course, what else had been left to him, after the Paris Climate accord had profiled us as the disgusting country, after the flight from TPP had made us the self-abusing country? Now we are no more than silly, puerile, and unconscionably dangerous to associate with, and flatly misanthropic. What an achievement to admire, to laud at cross burnings and gun festivals.
13
What better way to get both RussiaGate and Stormy Daniels off the front page than to start a war with Iran? Trump has no scruples whatsoever.
16
This is also payback to those Americans (me) who had the sheer audacity to elect a black man as President. And although we know he's not perfect, we still love Obama. And Trump can't handle it.
18
This decision more than any other he has made, such as pulling out the Paris Accord,and the TPP, trying to renegoiate Nafta, chiding NATO members on their contributions to NATO and possible Tarrifs on Steel and Aluminium have already created tension with ALL our Allies. Putin would like nothing more than seeing the U.S. tied up in another Middle East War. A war , we would have to fight with little if any support Militarily or Diplomaticaly from our Allies. That would provide Putin with both Diplomatic and Military leverage against NATO and the U.S..
This decission also plays into China's hands in the upcoming negotiations with North Korea, because it helps China to diplomaticaly pull both South Korea and Japan into their orbit. Nothing happens in a vaccum. China knew this was coming and they will use this blunder for their benefit, as much as Putin will for his. No wonder he wanted Trump elected President.
4
I agree with the comments that Trump is doing his utmost to diminish President Obama's accomplishments. But, Trump is also doing his utmost to be like Bush to start an illegitimate and by intentional deceit an unnecessary war in the Middle East. We also know he is doing his utmost to be like Nixon, and to be ready to be impeached, as soon as the Mueller outlines the crimes against the United States.
7
We are at a low water mark. We have breached a treaty for no good reason.
I hope that the recent revelations about the Russian oleg's $500G payments to Cohen, to be used to pay off Trump's debts, gets some traction. How is this not a violation of the Constitution's Emolument clause?
12
I think it’s simply how Trump behaved in his business life. He didn’t honor contracts that even he signed. He refused to pay contractors or vendors agreed upon amounts amounts. He is not a man of honor and people, including banks refuse to work with him in NYC.
15
Bingo. While he can spout whatever lie he wants (and most certainly will), Trump cancelled the Iran deal because President Obama put it into place. Face it, Mr. Trump. Obama, even with all his flaws, was a better President, better negotiator, better human, better man than you are, were, or could ever hope to be. Hands down (actually, BOTH of your little hands).
14
Well, slowly and surely Trump is proving that he is a Russian agent working to destroy America credibility, economy, and image. We don't need enemies when we have a clown president.
2
This should be required reading to all the people that voted for and still support president Trump. I believe when the middle America that voted for Trump read the line about the Iraq war costing $24.000 per household, they will not want a war with Iran. Because it will cost at least as much, if not more. Imagine all the good those trillions could do in your own country.
3
Trump and Bolton are the only people I can think of who could generate sympathy for the Iranian regime...
7
So now we have a preferred word to describe what is going on, "vandalism." No call to action, no strategy for people to forestall the bad things laid out here, just a word. I'm not sure that helps where the rubber meets the road.
I guess that's what writers are worth, but Kristof knows a lot of people, perhaps he could direct readers to someone proposing solutions to the problem of the power of American presidents, who in my lifetime have used military conflict to distract from Oval Office sex scandals, vindicate threats against their dads, rally voters, butter up trillionaire royal Arabs, appease the Jewish Lobby, and get people in front of TVs cheering at invented bogeymen. Everything BUT national security.
7
Trump is a ticking time bomb. He is like the angry kid who is losing playing a board game so he abruptly kicks the board and it pieces in the air. This man is deeply disturbed.
13
The point, is the same as every other Trump play. Self indulgence, and egotism.
It is not Obama per say, but rather any target that he can attack to show how much better he is, than that target. It could be his mother, and he would be just as ruthless.
Trump is a deeply flawed person. Flawed to the point of delusion.
With the likes of Pompeo and Bolton edging him on, we, and the world in general, could be in very serious trouble.
8
Trump isn't doing anything he wasn't told to do. That is why here is there. And of course it increases the risk of war with Iran: that is the whole point. Iran is the GWOT objective. Americans, and Liberals especially, have been asleep for the past 16 years evidently. All is going as planned; there is complete continuity from the 2001 program, consolidated especially over the 8 years of the Obama administration. That is why he was there. Regards.
Nicholas---You clearly do not understand Iran's leaders. They will lie, cheat, steal and deceive to achieve their aim of having a nuclear weapon capable of being launched on a missile. They are constantly testing the missiles, and that is in violation of the agreement (see BBC's summary, last section) Also, the inspectors are not allowed on military bases. Huh???
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33521655
https://www.newsmax.com/peterpry/jcpoa-netanyahu-passive-defense/2018/05...
Second, the West is foolish to believe anything Iran says. See article above on the use of deceit as a strategy of war.
Third, Iran's population is going to rapidly implode. The Mullah's know it so they will willingly bring down as much of the rest of the world as they can as they collapse. Thirty years ago their Total Fertility Rate (TFR) was nearly 7.0. Today it is well under 2.0, ranging from 1.6-1.9, depending on who is reporting. They did in 30 years what it took the EU two centuries to do, get their TFR so low their eventual collapse is assured. It's called the "closing of the Muslim womb" and today, Turkey is heading the same way and its leader is claiming it is a nefarious Western plot. It is just the collision of modernity with tribalism. See "How Civilizations DIE" by David Goldman.
https://www.amazon.com/How-Civilizations-Die-Islam-Dying/dp/159698273X
3
Paul, same could be said for the US under Trump.
Yes, what better way for an excuse to go to war with Iran but to, as Nicholas K writes, vandalize the Iran Nuclear Deal. It is just enough to make it more difficult to hold together a truce with the remaining countries while increasing the ire and resent of Iran toward the US and its ally, Israel. Calculated is the word that comes to mind.
All one has to do is look at the players involved in this real-life game of Risk...Netanyahu, Bolton, and Trump. It is the first twos' goal to, I believe, destroy Iran. They researched a reason and are executing it as we speak...insidiously forcing Iran to make a hostile move in one form or another toward us. Trump is but a mere puppet. His inner instability and utter corruption are perfect combinations for him to be used by the Great Manipulators...Bibi, Bolton, and let us not forget Putin.
2
John Bolton, and others, have pushed War with Iran.
It serves someone in America's interest. Whose?
2
RE: European allies
The US has no allies. We have lots of dependents: Europe, Israel, Saudi Arabia, S. Korea, Japan, and others. The US has been supporting Europe for over a century: WWI, WWII, Marshall Plan, cold war, NATO. Time for the Europeans to start paying for their own defense. They might have to give up cradle to grave healthcare, six weeks vacation, retirement at 60 and other goodies. But not the US taxpayers' responsibility to subsidize Europe.
1
Many of Trump's major decisions regarding immigration, the wall, etc. are an attempt to erase the Other. In his action today I agree the Other is President Obama. There is no other logic. Trump cannot bear the thought of being bested by a man of color. As much as he would love to, Trump cannot deport our honorable former President, so he is doing everything he can to erase his legacy and negate him. The only thing Trump is truly negating with his inhumane actions against the many Others he is so afraid of, are the last shreds of his own quickly disappearing decency. If he ever possessed a reputation of any merit or sense of honor, they left his empty soul long ago.
4
Calling it "Vandalism" ascribes too intentional a reason. Trump is a mindless idiot incapable of maintaining a consistent direction. Period.
6
Maybe the Twitter-in-Chief will replace the existing deal with a deal in his own image: Trump Hotel in Tehran; Trump National Golf Club in Isfahan; Trump University in Qom; the Apprentice in Farsi; collusion with The Ayatollah.
2
This is just another one of Trump’s idiotic moves that will backfire on us badly.
1
Yes, this reckless and impulsive act of destruction by our lizard-brained "president" is another chance for him to defiantly spit on Obama's legacy. Bullies are like that.
But equally important, this is another move that Trump's ignorant and xenophobic base will eat up with a spoon. Most of them couldn't find Iran on a map - and they're damn proud of it. These are the same people who still believe that Saddam was responsible for 9/11.
And Trump himself probably still doesn't have any coherent conception of the difference between Shia vs. Sunni (or Persian vs. Arab). Trump and his base will revel in this childish fit of pique because to them it shows that America is "sticking it to the ragheads!"
"USA!, USA!, USA!"
Every time I hear that chant, my brain hears echoes of a different, torch-lit chant from 80 years ago in a town named Nuremberg.
"America First" indeed.
"Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it."
- George Santayana
3
Throughout his presidency Trump has focused first on reversing the Obama presidency, even when that was terrible for tens of millions of Americans. This is more of the same. His decision is shear hubris, ignoring the advice of his staff. Trump sees himself as omnipotent. Easy to prove when you lie to yourself every second.
In truth no president has a clue whether his initiatives will work. Neither do the pundits We’ll probably will have know something in five years. I hope this works out even as I think it is absolutely stupid. But I’ve been wrong before.
1
In the lead up to the Iraq war, its promoters kept citing Germany in the lead up to WWII. I always raised the possibility that the lead up to WW I was a better comparison.
Now perhaps Macron more comparable to Neville Chamberlain in thinking he could reason with Trump and his fanatical followers.
The agreement with Iran reinforced its reformers who are now in a bad position.
This is a prelude to American instituted blood shed for pride and showing hubris like Iraq and Vietnam. I hope Trump’s generals say “no” to an unprovoked war with Iran. Someone must say
“no”to this mad man.
1
Trump didn't write his remarks today. It was the assistant to the president and avowed alt-right nativist and authoritarian rule accolyte, Stephen Miller. Those were Miller's words.
3
That one person can simply make a decision such as this says a lot about "democracy" in the US. You may have all the horse and buggy show about campaigning and elections. After that, you basically end up with a dictator for the next four years. At least in a parliamentary system, a prime minister making foolish decisions could lose the support of his MPs and have to leave office.
A second related point is that elected politicians invariably failed to understand that they are elected to office, *NOT* to do things their way, but to represent his/her constituency and work to improve their lives. Is it therefore surprising that "democracies fail"? Aside from the horse and buggy show of elections, what difference is it from a non-benevolent dictatorship when an elected official thinks that he is there to do things his/her way? There will so much less US interference in the rest of the world if american politicians can keep such a simple point in mind.
3
Flip side is in crisis decisions take forever. There has to be some executive privilege. Trump did make it clear before.
2
My first thought as well. The arsonist-in-chief is back in action.
2
Seems like the American President is taking his lead from the Israeli Prime Minister and hawks like John Bolton, rather than his own State Department and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Beyond inflaming things in the Middle East, what message does this send to North Korea? Make an agreement with us and we'll abide by it until we change our minds?
7
I am a Navy Vietnam veteran,(Fire Control Technician (gunnery) 3rd class ('65-69) and a retired federal prosecuting attorney (1995-2010).
John Bolton and I are the same age. While I was serving in the United States Navy, Bolton was in college vocally supporting the Vietnam War. However, when Bolton received his draft notice in 1969, along with a lottery number that assured him a place as a "Grunt" in Vietnam, he did two curious things.
First he joined the National Guard (NG). As all Vietnam veterans knew at the time this was an absolute guarantee that he /they [see also other Republican chickenhawk draft dodgers including Messrs. Romeny, Cheney, Quayle, "W" , Trump, Perle, Wolfowitz, et al] would never leave the state to which they were attached. let alone the country.
Second, he stated "on the record" when asked why he joined the NG he responded, " I couldn't see myself dying in a rice paddy in Southeast Asia."
Finally, I take exception, as every veteran with a minimum amount f self-respect should, with Mr. Kristof's assertion of Bolton's intellectual prowess.
On the contrary, Bolton has demonstrated throughout his entire adult life that he is an evil an despicable human being. He will send our sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters to thier deaths in a war when he himself refuse do so. He is, in other words, a disgrace, characterization that no reasonable person (by definition excluding all Trump supporters) can dispute.
29
As a Vietnam vet myself, very well said!
Trump is not pushing all of these buttons alone.
He is following someone else's order to do what he's doing, because he doesn't know or understand what the heck is happening day to day with anything. His Pentagon advisors have his ear twisted as they whisper what to do next. War for profiteering is always a strong motivator in our country. It is one of the few things we are very good at.
7
The trump doctrine, "if Obama did it, get rid of it"
6
Is it Trump's hatred of Obama or his hatred of America that motivates him?
Trump has said terrible things about John Kerry. Kerry served two tours of duty in Vietnam, while Trump was. avoiding sexually transmitted diseases in New York.
8
Doing Bibi's bidding, again. Trump never has an independent thought.
6
We talk about "Trump this" and "Trump that", but in reality, he is the elected leader chosen by a strong minority...
Of absolute fools.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
7
At least Melania supports Obama's policies. She copies them word for word.
10
Trump is lazy, cruel, and malevolent. This has framed his private life, his business life, and his time in the White House. Vandal indeed, of everything this evil man touches. Look no further than his character for motive.
6
Very bad timing for US’s citizens (actually for all the world’s population) to have this President exactly after the First African American President...
He is a racist of the worst kind, he is only focused in destroying everything with Mr. Obama’s fingerprint on it.
7
I hope out European friends apply sanctions to US companies and banks if Trump imposes sanctions on countries still in the deal doing business with Iran. Our naughty president lies and need a good spanking. Trump shamed almost 200 million Americans today. You have our permission to shove a collective thumb in the idiots eye. For almost 200 million Americans he is not our President. Bibi's and Putin's puppet yes, out American President Never.
5
i am sick and tired of this fool running the oval. truly a poor representative of america.
but our representative he is. come november VOTE
4
"Netanyahu may see political advantages to a triumphant airstrike,", how about he may see survival for his nation? Iran's theolog's have pledged to erase Israel and continue to fund terrorists around the world.
Let's not lose sight of our moral compass; Trump is a buffoon but iran is truly the bad guys here.
2
the purpose of Trump's move is to encourage kudos from his base, so he can bask in the applause. a bully playing to his ignorant toadies.
there's a lot more that could be said, but it's all commentary
4
Both Trump and Netanyahu have hated and continue to hate Barack Obama. Because he is a black man. Because he was smart and adept and succeeded to become POTUS while being black. Add in Netanyahu's 'plans' for Israel's future security and one has to wonder just whose bidding Trump is pursuing? And we should not forget Putin who loves to see the American European alliance crack open wider each time Trump disavows years of American commitment or treaties signed.
Trump is obviously capable of breaking things from healthcare to climate agreements to the Iran deal. Now he seeks to build a treaty/agreement with North Korea. Does he even know how?
6
"What’s the strategy other than a temper tantrum?” This IS the strategy, Mr. Kristof. Trump has no intention of even attempting to negotiate what he thinks is a more favorable deal. He never rejected the current accord for that reason. His sole reason in doing so was to continue to feed his white, racist base's temper tantrum.
Trump understands that to remain in power, he must continue to give his base something to be angry about -- even if everything he says is proven to be lies. They know he lies. They don't care. And here, his lies concern Iranians, brown-skinned people in the Middle East -- a sure winner with his racist supporters.
So understand the only "strategy" Trump has is to do everything in his power to continue to stoke the anger and racism of his base. He has told them that they are the "deserving" Americans and the rest of us are lesser people. He has told them that neo-Nazis and the KKK are some very fine people. He has told them that he would "close this country up" in some half-baked, racist attempt to seal our borders. And they love all of these disgusting, bigoted statements. Trump knows it, and he knows he needs to keep saying and doing everything in his power to stoke the anger of his white base, who see their relative power slipping away, as this nation becomes less white, less Christian.
The tantrum is all this is about, Mr. Kristof. With Trump voters, that's what it's always been about.
6
Why on Earth would North Korea want to negotiate with Trump?
His word and the word of the United States of America are worthless.
5
>
DJT and Benjamin Netanyahu want war with Iran.....What's your point.
4
" Anything that Obama did, I can do Better ". No. You can only destroy, with as much human misery and financial disaster as possible. A lifetime of experience in creating catastrophe.
4
How do the hypocritical Republicans in Congress sleep at night knowing they they have placed Trump, an ignorant, incompetent narcissist, in the White House and have placed the security of the entire world at risk? Have they no shame?
It is clear Trump has not a clue as to what the Iran Deal is all about. He is simply acting on his anti-Obama hatred and doing what his far right wing extremist advisors tell him. Now... how about those two slices of chocolate cake at Mar-a-Lago. And where is that golf cart! Tweet Tweet.
6
Trump supporters are so stupid that they’ll cheer for him for blowing up the deal Faux News says is bad, and also because Obama signed it! Not realizing that they’ll also be the ones paying for it!
4
More economic and bellicose bullying by the Fascist in Chief. The American People must not let Trump and his Saudi/Israeli Axis unleash a war upon the Iranian People.
It would be another human catastrophe.
The American People and People of the World must prevent this.
This is not empty rhetoric. We are on the precipice of another Human disaster.
5
When will this impulsive, reckless, dumbfounding clueless administration stop doing idiotic things?
Go Mueller.
3
And the Clown Merry-Go-Round jumps its base, and spins completely out of control.
I few years ago, I read one of those alternate history books, about what would happen if the Allies had gone with Hitler, and, instead of defying him, went Fascist. Sort of like "The Man In The High Castle." The world turned upside down.
Now I'm living in it.
Thanks, Electoral College!
1
You hit the nail on the head: The deal was President Barack Obama’s. Trump is hell bent on undoing what Obama did, whether good or bad, no matter what the price. Thanks for pointing this out.
1
So a country that is universally agreed to sponsor terror and a deal that was not approved by Congress and universally pandered by Congress is torn up. And this is bad how? Obama gave them billions and they use it to build weapons. Brilliant. Muslim sympathizer?
1
Sorry, pilot, your plane can't get off the ground. If you spent about 30 seconds on your pre-flight manual, you would find that the money released to Iran was their money. It had been frozen due to their nascent nuclear program, and was unfrozen because they agreed to this exceptionally intrusive inspection wired into the JCPOA .
You ask if Obama is a Moslem sympathizer. You might more correctly ask if the Trump team is a Saudi sympathizer.
You also used the word pandered when you meant panned. Congress does pander, mainly to the arms manufacturers.
1
Trump must be made to understand that the blood of every American who dies as a result of his decisions, policies and reversals of actions taken by his predecessor will be on his hands. Not just during his term in office, but forever.
Trump almost makes me wish that heaven and hell existed. Well, hell, anyway. No amount of punishment visited on him during this life would cover the damage he is leaving in his wake.
2
The USA is the proverbial bull in the shop.
So far as US tough policy breakIng ISIS, they were broken in Iraq and Syria by the Iranians.
2
Trump points out his objections to the sunset clauses which could allow Iran to resume nuclear weapon construction in a stepped manner from 2023-2030. Generally, the restrictions arguably keep major advances stymied until 2030. But, what about after 2030? Well, I guess we're going to find out without having to wait until 2030.
2
Trump was and has always been a "destructo." He is the wrecking ball the base wanted. Just think: If Obama had not put down Trump seriously humiliating him at the correspondents dinner we would not have had Trump's raison d'etre to become president. The hatred the base perceived from the left toward Trump constituted the passionate anti-anti-Trump vote....you're absolutely right that if Obama did it Trump must undo it. It is massive hatred fueled by the hunger of power combined with insecurity that a black man who put him down is actually smarter and better than he is.
3
I think Obama's smiling conversation with Melania at Barbara Bush's funeral ticked off Trump. This is pay back. Everything is about Trump's tiny ego.
1
As I have said elsewhere this is a stupid, stupid man. Stupid. He just plain has no idea what he is doing - it is all just about hating a black man, the rest of the world be damned.
At 73 it is not about me - it is about my kids and grand kids.
4
Absolutely. President Obama accomplished it, so Trump wants to negate it.
Petty jealousy, plain and simple, but no matter how much he brags, he will never be admired as a leader in the manner of Pres. Obama.
3
Wouldn't it be amazing if Trump and a few of his henchmen went to Iran and actually met some of its people? Wouldn't it be nice if he showed curiosity about their culture, the high rates of education among Iranians, and their innately hospitable ways? Has he ever thought about how he might feel if Iranian diplomats starting talking about regime change in our country? Wouldn't it be nice to stop worrying about American military aggression into Iran during Trump's presidency. It sickens me to contemplate.
3
"[Bolton still believes Iraq invasion was] a wise decision...killed 4,500 Americans, about half a million Iraqis, and cost the U.S. some $3 trillion." It created ISIS and all but destroyed Syria, the latter, thanks to prez Obama's irresponsible inaction!
Even if it's proven that there was collusion between Trump campaign & Russia, or all other scandals proved true, prez Trump need not necessarily be impeached. If he does apologize for it that could possibly be enough.
But for firing Gen Kelly to hire Bolton and for pulling out of the Iran deal, both are far too reckless acts of a US president, he should be impeached and ousted.
It may not happen. But it can, if Paul Ryan has the guts to initiate it. Democrats can't even if they take both Houses in Nov.
If Ryan wants to have a lasting legacy, which would be phenomenal, and be a great lesson for future presidents not to be reckless, as Trump has been so far.
You know, George Washington established a great legacy by adhering to democracy and renouncing power after two terms. If Ryan has the guts, he could possibly, I wouldn't say probably, establish a similar legacy!
3
"The signals flash through the night in vain
For Death is in charge of the clattering train."
You may remember these lines--taken from a longer poem and quoted by Churchill in "The Gathering Storm."
Funny how these things work. The first world war--brought on by a brainless bellicosity. The second--by cringing appeasement. How difficult it is to be wise ALL the time. To read "the signs of the times." To recognize the REAL perils--the REAL pitfalls. Amid the fakes. Lurid posters. Painted devils hoisted upon innumerable poles.
It requires thought--reflection--foresight to do all this.
Thought--reflection--foresight? We do not associate these things with the Trump White House.
And so MANY of us, Mr. Kristof, feel ourselves trapped on a "clattering train" charging on through the night, headed SOMEWHERE or other. So who's in charge?
Pray God it not be Death.
So keep us posted, New York Times.
Keep us posted.
3
How to not be obsessed with 45? Stop posting 4 x 5 photos every time you and others write something about him. They make me as ill as reading who he has just hurt. Stop predicting what will happen to him. Stop talking about the awfulness of his choices for this and that position and going on and on about them, multiple stories when there really isn't any new information. Radio: every time I hear his voice, I switch off the radio. Thank goodness I gave away my TV many years ago but even on the PBS news hour, there he is. Colbert, Trevor, Myers, others: stop making your livelihood off him. Enough is enough. I am physically sickened by this person and administration and have to shut down this news several times a day to think about things I can do something about. Less news, less repetition, no photos, no predictions about what will happen. Thanks. Joyce Aasen
2
Pretty sure this is just one of many rapid steps designed by Putin's team and executed by Trump to unravel the tight coalition between USA, Europe and Japan that we've all invested in and enjoyed for so many years. Nothing to do with 'Obama's Legacy' (which was simply to continue to honor America's commitment to world peace and prosperity). Watch now as Oil starts to trade in Euros instead of dollars and the impact to American's spending power. First, the Paris Accord - next: NATO?
2
"Trump is abandoning the Iran deal, with nothing to replace it,... "
This is standard Trump. His usual modus operandi. He did the same with DACA, then challenged Congress to fix the mess he created, offered to sign "anything" they brought him and then refused to do so.
I keep hoping that Trump's base will soon understand that disruption without a solid plan and strategy is worse than the status quo in most cases. Will this be enough? I doubt it.
2
"And that’s why I see Trump’s move as less about foreign policy than about vandalism."
Trump's entire presidency is an act of vandalism upon the American republic.
2
What is particularly inane about Trump's move is that he claims that we gave all the benefits to Iran at the beginning of the deal leaving few incentives for compliance. He is correct. However, why cancel a deal where all you have is upside in the form of compliance no matter what level. Impose a new set of sanctions on new issues. Unfortunately, he has become a puppet of his own desire to dump anything Obama and whatever Netanyahu wants
1
Iran is not like the countries around it. For starters it is Persian not Arab. More though, it is an educated, fairly advanced, stable country except that its government has been hijacked by a small group of unstable zealots. (Come to think of it that makes it more than a bit like the US!).
In "vandalizing" (good word) the deal Trump further diminishes the US and its influence. Europe, Russia and China will now step up without the US and fill the gap. The US is presently too unstable for the rest of the world to let it lead ... anything.
2
Yes, all out of spite, to undo Obama's accomplishments. And Repub Congress also spiteful. Reminds me of a scene at our beach one summer, when a girl carefully constructed a magnificent sand castle, a boy her age watching nearby with hate in his eyes, as the incoming tide washed away his lesser castle. When the girl left with her bucket and shovel, the boy ran over and stomped her castle into oblivion. Sexism emerging early; with Trump and his minions, it's racism, fury that America's first black President was in the White House for 8 years. Sad.
1
Trump spent the campaign criticizing the deal and talking like he couldn't wait to blow up NATO. He only reluctantly backed article 5 of the NATO treaty, and has consistently played to the right wing base that wants us out of NATO, the UN, wants a wall, thinks Putin is the white race's savior, and has no patience with diplomacy. The saddest part is that none of this is unexpected.
2
We are Trump's hostages in this Iran crisis.
2
The problem is that Mr. Trump does not make "decisions". He's incapable of the mental process and discipline. And certainly not diplomatic decisions.
He just reacts, often on whim.
This farce and clown of a presidency must be terminated. Can we be nonpartisan and call it a "national security threat" in order to end it. Can we come together like we did after the national security threat of 9/11.
3
Interesting approach. The more trump does and says, the greater President Obama's stature becomes.
4
Why would there be war?
1
Trump Vandalizes the Iran Treaty? What's new?
Trump vandalizes every person he meets, every thought that is good, every value that is worth living for, the rule of law and the Constitution, this country and the world. He soils the White House and the Presidency of the United States.
2
The Devil is amongst us. Even his cohorts are terrified!
1
A word that is synonymous with Trump is HORRIBLE.He talks about the horrible deals his predecessor made, about horrible immigrants from Mexico and the horrible injustice of closing coal mines.Meanwhile he has just backed out of a deal to limit nuclear weapons- that can have horrible consequences and essentially rolls the dice with our own safety.The Middle East is a tinderbox at best.Trump keeps lobbing stink bombs and eventually there will be even more chaos.Mr Bolton is not bright or he would not have sanctioned the ending of a deal which was working.This is HORRIBLE!
2
Not the first time he has unilaterally broken a contract or agreement. Whether it's verbal or in writing, anyone who is surprised that he is untrustworthy should contact me about some prime swampland I have for sale in the middle of DC. The best deal in the history of deals, and everybody knows it.
1
I don't know what is in Trump's mind, but I know why some people like War. In war you use up your weapons and have to buy new ones, so it helps transfer wealth from the poor to the rich. Anf we know who calls the shots in this country. Amd we know that most Republicans opposed the deal. So I don't think it is fair to blame Trump in particular.
1
Trump also gets a high five from the underhanded Senator Tom Cotton, who, when Barack Obama was president, pressed his fellow Republicans to sign an outrageous letter sent to Iran saying America would reverse its support of the deal once Republicans gained power. Hawks welcome war. Hawks get money from weapons’ manufacturers. As with all things Republican, follow the money.
6
IF there is anything Trump has touched that hasn't gone sour, it's news to me. He has a reverse Midas touch.
We are allowing a man with the impulse control of a toddler to run loose, and the longer he goes without being reined in, the more outrageous (and risky) his behavior will be.
Trump has learned no one can stop him. No one. Certainly not the Republican Party, which has a lock on the Federal Government and could if it wanted to. It won't.
And that tells you everything you need to know.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/8/1762875/-It-s-Happening-In-Pla...
1
Since we are all living it, let me share a story that does not yet have an ending.
Chapter One. There was once a young nation that became an empire with influence that extended across the oceans to all continents. It grew so powerful that it no longer felt the need to be kind or even respectful towards other nations. Noble intentions were replaced by greed, arrogance and hubris. It built tall walls around itself, both physical and metaphorical.
Chapter Two. This nation's leader told the people how great and safe and powerful they were but the people knew better. Even the citizens who believed this leader felt something was amiss. A rot set in and the nation seemed to split in two and started to fight itself. Distrust spread. Uncertainty and anger and sadness spread and they spread fast like a virus.
Chapter Three. Yet to be written.
Pick up your pens or place hands on keyboards and get writing America. If we don't, then history will write it for us and the stock ending for nations that become empires is not a pleasant one to live through.
4
The mainstream and liberal media spends its time aghast at Trump's tweets, amazed at Trump's incompetence, shocked at Trump's actions. One would think that at some point they would become bored by the adrenaline rushes and turn inward, if for no other reason that variety.
It's time the mainstream and left leaning media starts focusing on the political left. Our leaders on the left are bereft of new ideas. They claim sanity amid the firestorm while doing nothing. They cling to their past glories as tightly as Republicans cling to their guns and religion. But what is our future, Democrats? And why isn't the media pushing for that answer?
Trump is old news. Yes, he will burn the house down, but we know that, and there's nothing we can do. So it's time for some soul searching and looking forward, both in the liberal media and the Democratic Party.
1
And, of course, and worse of all, Trump has now strengthened Iranian hardliners, weakened Iranian moderates and progressives, and so has delayed the inevitable opening and moderation of Iran for years to come.
3
Trump's just undermined American International credibility. Why would other nations trust the U.S. to live up to future agreements? Furthermore, this only makes the U.S. less safe. We're safer with inspectors in Iran than not. Trump cannot put his ego aside, even when national security is at stake. We've seen this before in his refusal to make U.S. cybersecurity a top priority.
3
In 2015, General Flynn said that regime change in Iran would be a top priority of the Trump administration. The idea is an air war like Libya that lost no US lives and, by bombing all the Iranian Guards and army units, leave the regime vulnerable to overthrow. What could go wrong?
3
Israel’s stage-managed release of decade-old documents detailing Iran’s purportedly secret nuclear weapons program (which everyone at the time assumed they had) supposedly played a role in Trump’s decision.
Since Israel is in a revelatory mood, maybe they can share the history and documentation of their own nuclear weapons program and the details of the weapons they still refuse to admit they have.
So - who is it who’s been lying again? And who is it who needs protection from their militant neighbours?
3
Mr. Kristof, that is the perfect word for trump: Vandal. He's a senior citizen vandal. Blowing things up is easy. Any fool can do it. Creating things, like treaties between nations is very difficult. Trump will never be able to do that unless the countries that want us to sign did all the work by themselves. Now how do we fix people so they don't vote for vandals, or want vandalism? Our country has lost so much ground in the last year and a half. Ground that will be hard to get back.
1
I think sabotage is a more accurate description of Trump's action than vandalism. Vandalism generally involves spontaneity, randomness and a lack of purpose, while sabotage involves planning aforethought with specific intent to scuttle or destroy, especially for political purposes, a thing one doesn't like or a situation with which one is in disagreement. That describes Trump's actions perfectly, and not for the Iranian agreement alone.
2
POTUS 2020 will have a huge mess to unwind and a lot to apologize for. Europe: reject Trump’s senseless action and continue the agreement with Iran. Trump will be gone soon enough.
2
Sad to say, a sentence / comment at the beginning of this essay is of course true and one of the administration's prime objectives. You wrote, "It means that Trump is isolating the United States, not Iran, and..." Yes, absolutely. Yes, the objective. And oh yes a very very bad idea. But absolutely the pattern.
4
Trump now owns Iran. "The Pottery Barn Rule" -- like Bush II, Cheney and Powell broke Iraq in 1992 and still own it. And don't be surprised that Trump has no Plan B after withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran Nuclear Deal today. He had no Plan B after pulling America from the European Climate Accord, either. But then Team Trump believes climate change is a hoax. History has shown us there was no Plan B after G.W. Bush and his pottery-breakers invaded Iraq (the albatross still hanging around their necks after 26 years). Nothing new under the sun except the wannabe tyrant in training-wheels being upheld by his loyalists - all ignorant sychophants who are cheering Trump on, plus his new Republican foreign policy hawks - Bolton and Pompeo, who are urging the toddler on to regime-change in the Middle East. What else is new? Stay tuned, folks.
1
The Iranians are bad actors. The Obama Iran deal gave them money which they have used to support Hezbollah and Hamas. They supply Hezbollah and Hamas with rockets. The Iranians don't even want nuclear weapons. They realize that there is more risk in having them than not. Rather they have a plan to achieve their ends through conventional means. I think we should increase the cost to them of doing so.
1
Do you suppose that if "we" (the American People, all 300+ million of us...or as many as we can round up ) could stop talking about Trump and writing about Trump and asking questions about Trump and commenting on tTump for 2 or 3 weeks solid, we might get the guy so absorbed in trying to figure out what was going on that he might stop making policy decisions, hiring, firing, signing executive orders. In Russian literature there is the concept of e superfluous man. Maybe if we all try hard we can make the American version of the superfluous man?
1
Trump wants to eradicate President Obama’s policies any way he can.
This is what it is all about plain and simple.
1
The talking heads have missed the point about Trump's rejection of the Iran deal. Geopolitics and nuclear politics figure don't figure at all in Trump's mind. He doesn't have any desire to start a war. He has not consciously concluded he needs to create a distraction from Daniels, Mueller et al.
There are only two motivations for Trump -- First and foremost -- look at me! I can make the whole world watch me! I am the most important person in the whole world, because everyone is hanging on my every word!! ME. ME. ME. This is a narcissist at work in the Oval Office.
The Iran deal marries that fundamental motivation for Trump with a second one -- I want to show the world that I am better than Obama was. I am going to undo everything that Obama did. Of course, this is a subset of the first motivation. Trump is more important than everyone, so of course that includes Obama.
1
Is it really possible for one man to undo the will of the international community?
He could not do it with TPP. The world made a new agreement, leaving the US out in the cold. He could not do it with the Paris climate accord. State and local governments along with private businesses are going to work toward the Paris goals. The two countries who were not a part of the Paris Accords have since signed on. World leaders are working on these issues without US.
Will world business leaders actually bow to the will of Trump, or will they find a way around US sanctions?
Congratulations to everyone who voted for the anti-Obama bigot birther. You and the rest of the world are stuck with him.
1
If anyone can drive Europe into the arms of Iran and Russia and points East, it is Donald Trump.
News flash, America. When Trump succeeds in making the showdown America v. The World, bet on The World.
2
When will Society understand Trump's game, Trump is bellicose he's trying to get thrown out of office true Hustler for real.
1
Brace for a new massive war in the Middle East, courtesy of Benjamin Netanyahu. He is the force behind the destruction of the nuclear deal with Iran. Mr. Netanyahu now effectively controls the foreign policy of the United States. He and the Israelis will now sit back and watch the United States spend its fortune and spill its blood attacking Iran, which will inevitably escalate into a larger regional war and may include Russia. What is truly sad is that ultimately in the longer run this will serve no other purpose than to permanently isolate Israel from the rest of the world, possibly leading to the complete destruction of the Jewish state.
America has now become the axis of evil in this world. We cajole Qaddafi to get rid of his nuclear weapons, he does so and then we kill him. We tell Saddam he needs to get rid of his chemical weapons program, he complies and then we overrun his country and kill him, too. We get the rest of the world to sign the Paris Climate Agreement and then we withdraw from that deal. We spur the rest of the world to sign an effective nuclear nonproliferation treaty with Iran and then we renege on that one, too. Who can trust the United States? Who should trust this country? No one, not even our allies any longer. Does anyone honestly believe there will be any genuine deal with North Korea and Trump? There may be some pomp and circumstance but North Korea will never live up to their end of any bargain and, frankly, why should they?
3
Trump has done this sort of thing repeatedly, with foreign and international issues. He starts by taking something negotiated by a predecessor (particularly Obama), pronouncing it a "terrible deal" with little explanation why, pledging to make a better deal again without specifics, killing the deal, and then leaving the mess. He has done or is doing this with the Paris Accords, ACA, TPP, NAFTA, and now the Iran Deal. Trying to convince him on policy is futile, as it's all ego driven.
1
Kristof is right. For Trump and his base this is all about destroying Obama's legacy. Any Obama success undermines their sense of self-worth based on race. That's why at the same time that Trump is blowing up the Iran deal his "base" is crying for him to get a Nobel Peace Prize like Obama.
1
My question is why is Israel inciting us into yet another war?
"... staying in the deal is in America’s interest." Ah, but there is the rub. The Iran deal is not in Netanyahu's interest. Remember "Benjamin Netanyahu, testifying to Congress in support of the Iraq war on Sept. 12, 2002"? - see https://nyti.ms/1JNWfXW .
Bibi is pulling the same stunt now with Iran. Instead of relying on American intelligence, trump is relying on Netanyahu's dated "intelligence," agitating us into another war.
Bibi even guaranteed the US Congress "If you take out Saddam, Saddam's regime, I guarantee you that it will have an enormous positive reverberations on the region." How do we collect on his guarantee? He owes us $3 trillion plus reparations. Let him send Israeli soldiers treasure fighting Iran instead of American. Let him pay for American weaponry at List Price instead of tax payer subsidized pricing if wants war with Iran.
Who knew Iran's supreme leader to be more of a statesman than our own dear leader who, like Soviet style leaders before, erases the legacy of their successful predecessors.
I've had trouble finding the right word to describe trump's actions - from sabotage to depraved recklessness - but I think Kristof has nailed it with "vandalism." He is vandalizing everything that took many years and centuries to achieve and made America great.
2
Obama was a truly awful president. He pushed through the Iran deal against the wishes of Congress. The deal enabled Iran to have the money to cause trouble in the region.
Getting out of the deal is the right thing to do. Hopefully we cause enough damage to their economy to expedite a regime change
Well said Mr. Kristoff.
To be fair, we could hardly expect better from a criminally incompetent president with the disposition of a three year old having a temper tantrum over not getting ice cream. Although three year olds, to their credit, get over their tantrums and move on. Not so this president. He lives his life in 5 second cycles which makes it impossible to see anything beyond his orange nose.
2
When can we begin to entertain the notion of assassination?
How much do we have to take?
Bolton is "smart & knowledgeable?" I suppose so, in a Glenn Beck / crazy uncle / crackpot sort of way. Unlike Trump, he can remember more than 2 or 3 words from his talking points. But I'm not sure what use that sort of intelligence is, put solely in the service of his murderous obsessions.
3
Trump's attitude towards Obama's achievements reminds me of
Deutsche Physik, a nationalist movement in the German physics community in the early 1930s, that was opposed to the work of Albert Einstein and other modern theoretically based physics, which was disparagingly labeled as "Jewish Physics".
1
"What is clear is that the hawkish non-diplomatic paths failed catastrophically."
How anyone can look at the photos of Syrian and Iraqi cities reduced to inhabitable and dangerous piles of rubble and conclude that military options are the best ones is dumbfounding. Do we need the whole of New York City reduced to the rubble of the twin towers to convince people that war is not such a good idea.
As long as Americans can isolate themselves from the desolation and suffering, homeless emigrants, and huge tent cities of permanent refugees, we will continue to live in our delusional little worlds.
Does it take a nuke on Chicago to wake people up?
Real people lived in that bombed out rubble in the Middle East that we were complicit in destroying and they really are homeless, maybe for the rest of their lives.
Americans need to be fed some reality about exploiting diplomacy and realize that blowing people's homes up is not a desirable solution.
2
Trump has gone through life skirting the consequences of his actions. He makes decisions that are not based on the facts and let's his staff and lawyers deal with the fallout. What a disastrous way to administrate a presidency.
1
I wonder how Trump is supposed to negotiate anything with North Korea when he's just demonstrated our word is worthless. He may think he's sending a message that he'll demand tough concessions, but instead he's just signaling that the US bargains in bad faith. And our allies? I shudder to think how anxious they'd be to turn their backs on us in a crisis after we've repeatedly ignored input from them. 195 counties didn't follow us out of the Paris climate accords; the TPP countries minus the US will continue to benefit from trade agreements we're no longer party to; and now we, alone, ditch the Iranian nuclear pact. We are no longer leaders the free world when no one accompanies us on our ill-advised isolationist policies.
2
This is simply one more example of how much Trump does not understand.
And also clear evidence of his imperial views, intergalactic ego, and foolhardy belief that the US can go it alone and impose our will on everyone.
This will become another situation in which other world powers will step in and fill the void, just as China did with the TPP.
Russia, China, European powers are all going to reap the rewards of the blinding ignorance and impulsivity of this man and his sycophants.
It is stunning to think that the US could be on path from being a true word leader to begging to get back in to some agreements. Remember what Merkel said. Europe and the world will just have to go it alone.
What a plague on humanity this carnival barking buffoon is.
3
Help us All! Didn’t Trump ask some in his cabinet since being elected POTUS on
July 16th, 2016 this:
On Wednesday, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough passed on an intriguing piece of gossip: Donald Trump, speaking with a “foreign policy expert,” repeatedly asked “why can’t we use nuclear weapons.”
Scarborough’s claim was thinly sourced. He didn’t reveal the identity of the expert advising Trump or even where he learned the information. Information attributed to anonymous sources is inherently suspect.
But one need not rely on anonymous sources to glean Trump’s views on nuclear weapons. He has broached the subject repeatedly on the campaign trail. Several of his public comments are similar to Scarborough’s account while others are terrifying in their own way.
Nuff said?
Ronald
1
I completely disagree with the title of this column. Dear readers of the NYT, please pardon Mr. Nicholas Kristof. The title of this opinion piece should be "Trump Vandalizes America."
Vandalizing the Iran deal is just a small fraction of all the vandalism Trump has been indulging in.
2
When will we hear from you Mr. Obama? Why don't you hold a news conference and defend your legacy? I know it is tradition for the previous president to fade away, but we are witnessing a very dangerous anomaly. At the very least, your eloquence, intelligence and demeanor will cast a harsh light on the current president.
1
Vandalism is an apt metaphor - for the entire Trump presidency.
Of course, the primary act of vandalism was perpetrated not by Trump himself but the millions of Americans who voted him into office.
2
I've said it before and I'll say it again. He wants to start a war so he can hide behind it. All about him.
2
The man-child in the White House is a fool. He has just endangered the efficacy, careers, and in some cases the lives of every US Government official serving overseas. Even our closest allies won't want to negotiate with us. People serving difficult assignments will have greater challenges getting appointments with their counterparts overseas, who won't be receptive to negotiating or even discussing anything with our government. And then, Trump will be the first to criticize those same hardworking people for not getting accurate or current information.
This country needs a president for all the people, a person who recognizes that experts in the government will give him wise, unbiased counsel. This country does not need a freewheeling decisionmaker who admits to following his gut and whose entire agenda is canceling Obama-era policies and agreements. Shame!
1
You have Trump all wrong. Putin and opec want oil prices higher. End of story.
I could go on and on about Trump but his constant need for attention is what he wants. Trump is a terrible human being and he showed it again today. If it's something the Obama administration accomplished Trump will destroy it. He's a petty, mean spirited, cruel, and envious little man.
Also, the press has to stop giving Trump what he desperately craves and that is media attention. This baby-man-child emotional needs are insatiable. He has a black hole for a soul. God help us all.
1
Sure war has all sorts of consequences, but what do Trump, Bolton, Bannon, and the other hard-liners care? These are your classic Republican chicken-hawks. They never fight in wars. Their kids never fight in wars. You could get killed! That's for losers. They see it from the other side. Halliburton sends a bill each month, they get paid, and stockholders get fat. Ask Dick Cheney. What's not to like? You think any of them is going to worry about a few thousand dead Americans, a few hundred thousand dead Iraqis, or a few trillion dollars that won't be wasted on undeserving American citizens, when they're making out like bandits economically and politically?
As for Bolton's three cases, don't you worry. He's just playing a long game. As soon as we finish the job in the middle east with the war against Iran, and as soon as we finish the job in the Korean peninsula with the war against North Korea, it's all going to be great. Got any sons or daughters to enlist? Bolton's kids, and Trump's kids, will make their contributions too, by investing in Halliburton and other military-industrial firms. That's patriotism, Republican leader style.
Gotta run now - those bone spurs are killing me. What a shame my kids inherited them.
2
Trump, and his ilk, from the beginning have shown that they hate Obama more than they love their country.
1
America Alone, not America First, is the legacy of this "President."
1
"Trump doesn’t want to risk a possible crisis then, so he chooses to have one now — apparently, just for the satisfaction of kicking sand at Obama." It's impossible to not believe that Trump is a racist. He's done a great deal more than just kick the sand at Obama. It seems everything and anything to do with Obama is something Trump will sabotage, and of course I'm thinking of Obamacare. Does Trump seriously hate the man because he's black, or is it because Obama was a great president? I don't really have to say this, but Trump is a terrible person and a terrible president. One can only hope that the powers that be in Iran and Europe will not allow Trump to reject the Iran Deal.
1
Jared's sure doing a great job on this Middle East peace initiative that he was put in charge of. That's what we get for draining the swamp and only hiring the best people!
1
What a misery of a man is Trump; a wrecking ball against a carefully constructed diplomatic edifice to monitor Iran's nuclear capabilities and stop their chance to build nuclear warheads. And nothing to replace it. If Trump were dimwitted, I would understand better the havoc created by this move might be Bolton's idea. But knowing Trump's heightened unscrupulous dealings, this is pure 'evil'...and a sick joke on all the allies involved. I bet you that Trump hasn't even read the nuclear agreement, let alone understand the feat it meant and the added world security with less warheads at our disposal. And speaking about irresponsible shameless thugs, where in the world are the republicans in congress, totally mum in their complicity? Didn't they swear to defend the country from foreign and native enemies? Trump's temper tantrum is an insult to reason and sobriety. Is he that drunk of power he won't restrain himself from trashing the U.S. security, and a chance for world peace?
1
What, Mr. Kristof, is "working" in relation to the Iran deal? True, the US gave away all the money to fund Iran's mischief abroad, which has worked for the mullahs. The inspections, which were supposed to be "anywhere, anytime", exclude military facilities and other sensitive areas, which seems to work fine for the Revolutionary Guards. The fiction that this is keeping Iran from developing nuclear weapons is farcical. Ending this agreement is simply an acknowledgement of the reality on the ground, and in doing so Mr. Trump is displaying a realism that has been sorely missing from US foreign policy.
3
It is a historical lesson for Iran never to trust or deal with USA (as President Rouhani said). Simple as that. For US money drives pretty much everything including politics, which means that our values and words should not be blindly trusted. Its a lesson to all the countries actually after nixing of the Paris Climate Deal where we should have been the biggest contributor based on the pollution we produce.
27
Trump was right and Kristof is (really, really) wrong.
One looks at Iran’s status as the premier exporter of terrorism and destabilization in the Greater Middle East now that ISIS is all but gone, their deep religious hatred of and desire to obliterate Israel, and the building tension between Shi’a and Sunni powers in the region, and places it all in the context of an Iran “deal” that allows them to marry increasingly more powerful and sophisticated missiles to a re-booted nuclear arms program in just a few years, and is forced to conclude … what could POSSIBLY go wrong? It’s this clear-eyed appreciation of reality that animates Trump’s decision, an appreciation of reality that’s been absent in U.S. foreign policy for years; and that STILL escapes some, such as Kristof (and, to be fair, others in Europe and elsewhere).
Left untouched, the “deal” would force Saudi Arabia and Egypt to counter the threat by acquiring their OWN nukes from Pakistan and Russia (and from North Korea?), and Erdogan’s Turkey would want a capacity that Erdogan controls. Israel’s own nuclear defensive capacity would need to be put on hair-trigger response status. With or without Trump’s decision, the damage may already be done – the entire REGION may be bristling with these horrific weapons in just a few years. And with Iran’s accelerating missile program, it’s not just Riyadh, Cairo, Istanbul and Jerusalem that could be targeted, but European capitals, as well. WORSE than Kim Jong-un!
2
The naysayers object: “we have three inches left of road down which to kick this can, so … why the rush?” Sounds like our entire approach to North Korea, not JUST Iran, since Obama was elected: keep kicking that can, and when you run out of road and we face the prospect of a nuke possibly incinerating one of our West Coast cities, look around comically and ask “who … me?”
Trump made the right decision, and not only that, he made it at the best time available to us. Iran’s economy is cratering, the domestic unhappiness at the Mullahs’ rule is building, and they are ecologically foundering, with serious water problems. Precisely the conditions that caused Iran to approach Obama years ago to negotiate an end to sanctions. Only this time, it will be TRUMP’S people whom they’ll be facing across the negotiation table, not a John Kerry willing to pay $10 million for a $500 Persian rug. Time to start dickering AGAIN, but with someone on our side who KNOWS whose interests he’s charged with protecting, who KNOWS how to dicker, and who won’t be snookered into grotesquely over-paying for a $500 Persian rug.
It may already be too late, but if Trump was going to seek to salvage greater regional stability WITHOUT nukes – in the hands of religious berserkers on all sides – then this was his moment.
When it comes to Iran, I’m COMPLETELY in favor of kicking them when they’re down. Kristof should support it, and our president, too – as should all of YOU.
6
What concrete is to be gained by this action? Is there evidence that regional stability will be enhanced?
It seems that all the experts, the people with experience, the people with information,from Europe, from the US,even some Republicans with knowledge disagree with you.
Are you willing to risk a disastrous war in the Middle East, the lives of US soldiers and the prospect of increasing international tension, because Donald Trump, not known for his foreign policy nous, says so?
1
I think that the Europeans will try and continue with this agreement as it is in their best interests.
As many have pointed out including the author if anything has the name of Obama on it trump will do away with it. Trump is like the petulant little toddler who screams because he can’t get enough candy bars.
42
They should and make it clea to the man child they will counter any sanctions against their companies with equally harsh sanctions against the US. Our little president was naughty and lied. He need to understand his deplorable behavior will have consequences for all Americans. Trump made the mess let;s make sure he and he alone owns it.
1
"Trump may have absorbed the unfortunate lesson from his military strikes on Syria that when he fires missiles, he is hailed as presidential."
Nick, how soon you forget that you were among the gullible individuals who were oh so pleased by those first set of missile strikes:https://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2017/04/07/trump-was-right-to-strike-s...
Neoconservatives like Bolton aren't the only problem group in America when it comes to foreign policy. "Humanitarian" interventionists tend to scream "Do something!" before thinking. That's almost as bad.
8
Two points that don’t explain anything. So, u don’t like humanitarians...ok. Why do we have to live with Iran getting a nuclear arsenal? All of our kids are risk. This isn’t a game. Trump is a foolish and dangerous child.
2
It is the beginning of laying the groundwork for an Iran war diversion when domestic politics will become too hot to handle for Republicans, possibly before mid term elections.
Trump speech today was almost a complete repetition of George Bush's manufactured narrative before he made the historic blunder of Iraq war. It is clear that loss of millions of lives and trillions of dollars has not taught us any lessons.
72
Interesting idea - things are starting to get really uncomfortable for Trump on the legal front so maybe he wants to start a crisis, to divert attention from his domestic problems?
4
It must have been so frustrating for foreign leaders, foreign policy makers, experienced state department specialists to make rational, reasoned arguments to this person called Trump.
Trump knew two things:
--Keep his base happy by fulfilling a campaign pledge
--Take revenge on President Obama
Hard to argue against against non arguments.
44
One of the irksome outcomes of Trump is that journalism has adopted so much of his rhetoric. This was not a "deal," it was an "agreement." The latter is a sober, careful, mature win-win situation. In short, not a "deal," with all the one-off win-lose that that implies. An agreement might be a pact, if brevity is needed
30
Thank you. You are signing my song. Please, please, media, stop using Trump's tv-show rhetoric calling a serious international agreement a "deal," diminishing its importance.
18
Correction: should be singing, not signing.
Indeed.
The pros and cons of this are well beyond my pay grade, but what is eminently clear is that every decision Trump makes is driven by one factor, and one factor only: will it allow him to strut and preen and bray for the next 24 hours.
Mission Accomplished.
110
And negate what Obama has done. If only Trump was punished for his actions instead of the American people.
4
The president has never clearly articulated his reasons for withdrawing from the Iran Nuclear Deal. He does not have a comprehensive strategy on what to do next that he has worked through with experts and strategic partners. Our allies Britain, Germany, and France wanted the US to stay in the Iran Deal so the president has let them down as well as the American people for not considering the huge unintended consequences of such an ill fated move. The president is a loose cannon, he has hardly any foreign policy experience, and so his decisions are not reasonable or carefully considered.
35
Not to make light of your comment (which I totally agree with), but this man is incapable of “clearly articulat[ing]” a darned thing.
2
"Bolton is smart and knowledgeable"
He is neither. Prior to the Bush administration taking office, Mr. Bolton announced that it would break the Agreed Framework with North Korea at the first opportunity. When the US suspected North Korea was enriching uranium using Pakistan design centrifuges (which was not covered by the Agreed Framework), the Bush administration withdrew from the Agreed Framework. North Korea promptly withdrew from the NPT and kicked out the IAEA inspectors and started to reprocess which was a much quicker path to a weapon and led to their first nuclear test in 2006. We can expect that Mr. Bolton has learned nothing from that experience and will no doubt be surprised once again if Iran follows a similar path.
37
I find the term "smart" applied to people who are laboring under various mean intentions a big mistake. The usual "reasoning" is in the end stupid....not smart.
1
Vandalism indeed! He is doing all he can to undermine and ruin America's reputation throughout the world as a sane and trustworthy actor in defence of moral and liberal democratic values. He chooses to bully, threaten, intimidate and blackmail even our longstanding friends and allies through use of raw economic power. In the long run this can't be good policy. A lot of repair work will be needed when we eventually get a return of new and better more stable leadership, if nothing too terrible occurs in the meantime (see Iraq for example).
34
The Iran deal was a terrible deal from the beginning. All we got was a hard to verify promise to not go down the military path of nuclear fuel development for a few moer years. For making this promise, Iran recovered billions of dollars in frozen assets and had trade sanctions lifted. They got everything and we got a promise of dubious sincerity. Sad thing is, the cat's out of the bag now, so in revoking the deal the U.S. comes off as the bad guy, while Iran continues to manipulate Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
4
Even if that were all true (and it's not), how is it better to have no deal at all? To me, that seems the most basic problem with Trump's position.
16
they dismantled the core of a nuclear reactor. That sounds like they were serious. Do you think Israel would have done the same in the 1960's. Now we have nothing if the international agreement falls through, Short of war what do you suggest. Do you honestly think other countries will now honor American Sanctions. If Trump sanctions foreign companies they now have a great excuse to sanction American Business. Now American speaks with one voice instead of dozens.
1
Have you ever heard the adage "The perfect is the enemy of the good"?
It applies here.
1
Trump's reasons may include tearing down something else that President Obama had done, but I hope it is not also a prelude to a war designed to rally the press and the people behind him, sort of like how wars worked for Reagan and for W.
33
I would call it more of a Hit and Run. A major hit, aim squarely at Obama. And a catastrophic Run, away from diplomacy, long standing belief in the integrity of US agreements, past and in the future, AND Sanity. Why would any Country now enter into an agreement with the USA, when it can, and will, be ignored or invalidated??? What's the point ??? Why bother ???
This will NOT end well. Expect a horrific surprise before the Midterms. Cadet Bone Spurs is getting incredibly bad advice and is too addled to even notice, or care. Thanks, GOP. You own Him, and his toxic waste.
76
Yes, the GOP “owns him,” but the entire nation will suffer as a result of his petulance and his focus on short term self-gratification.
4
Remember the Iranian hostage crisis? If I were an American in Iran I would leave immediately. As far as I'm concerned there are only two surefire ways to get rid of Trump and for Democrats to take over both houses of Congress. 1. an economic crisis like the Bush/Republican great recession or 2. another insane war similar to Iraq. We may be on the verge of the latter. Trump, who I refuse to address as president is an existential threat to American democracy and to a world at peace. He seems hellbent on proving correct all who have called him incompetent and unfit.
58
You can refuse to address him as President all you want, doesn't change the fact that he is the leader of the free world. And please explain why we're on the brink of a war with Iran. So much fear mongering these days, is that all the Democrats have left?
2
He has nothing left to prove on those accounts. QED
1
I never imagined that we would one day have a president so immature that he would risk the nation's security just to undo his predecessor's legacy. But then I never imagined that we would have a president who would try to take health care away from millions of Americans for the same reason.
Trump's remarks during the campaign (why do we have nukes if we don't use them?, etc.) and his support for the Iraq invasion always indicated that he would be an extreme hawk. A lot of the electorate seemed to miss these cues. When he brought on the neocon crew that convinced Bush Jr. to invade Iraq, I knew we were in trouble. John Bolton doesn't believe in diplomacy, never has.
Incredibly, Trump doesn't see the connection between this decision and the North Korea talks. He doesn't have the ability to think, much less learn.
He felt insulted by Obama's joke during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Now he's taking revenge on all of us.
75
the President has a view of the world that might equals right, and you can bully the weak into submission. He seeks to maximize the profit to be gained by the US being the worlds only superpower and an economy that thrives on internal consumption. Peace and reconciliation are to be replaced by bombs and bravado. What a way to run the world.
12
The days of the unchallenged or only lightly contested US hegemony of the world are now fading into history. Trump is the beginning of the end of a fully great American presence on the international front and now new alliances and stronger opponents will rise against us.
China and Russia are jubilant and Europe now has to wonder how much longer they can tie their security to the US.
11
Every time Trump does something that I think sinks us to a new low, he proves me wrong. Please, World, don't think this is representative of the US! And, Citizens of the US, please vote in November and stop this madness!
31
"Every time Trump does something that I think sinks us to a new low, he proves me wrong."
Yes, and it's the same with the Republican Party. I thought Nixon was terrible ( Southern Strategy, IRS audits donors to Democrats, dirty tricks.....etc), then there was Reagan (Iran/Contra, support of Saddam Hussein...) then Bush I (Willie Horton ads) then Bush II ( cut brush in Texas ignoring warnings of 9/11, invade Iraq, blow up deficit with wars and tax cuts for wealthy, crash the economy....), then....Trump.
1
I've got bad news for you. This is absolutely representative of the U.S. It was only 15 years ago when we invaded Iraq, and we're still very much in the neighborhood. We have a major political party that takes great pride in its belligerence and willful ignorance, in foreign policy to be sure but also on the environment, economics, and every other conceivable dimension. And that party has massive popular support. So, yes, this is us, and so will be the next war that Trump and Bolton send other people's kids to fight in. America first!
1
Trump’s efforts to dismantle the last 100 years of American global leadership is incredibly disheartening. What is to be gained by withdraw without counter-proposal, choosing absence over dialog? The rest of the World should block us until we get this most odious POTUS out of office.
20
At some point in the future, the US$ will not be the world's leading reserve currency any more. Imagine the consequences. Trump moves the world forward towards that point.
4
Dietmar-
Yes, exactly, everyone here seems to have missed your important point.
Does this man have any notion of what is best for the United States and her reputation in the world? He is like a destructive virus, the consequences of which, I fear will outlive my lifetime.
24
I'm surprised the world doesn't ban together and put sanctions on the U.S.
35
we already have a horrific sanction - its called trump
2
It's still all a matter of trashing Obama for him.
Iran Deal is Obama's success? Destroy it.
No peace achieved with North Korea yet? Agree to whatever they ask.
19
Taking a sledgehammer to the ACA: despicable. Throwing the Dreamers under the bus: deplorable. Scuttling the Iran deal just to spite his political enemies: dangerous, very dangerous. This destructive man must be removed from the White House by lawful means, but Lord, can we do it fast enough to avoid a new war in the Middle East?
57
John Bolton said that he--he, not the "president"--wants "a regime change" in Iran.
I can't get over the arrogance of one man's obsession with what's going on in another country. Iran is the country, by the way, that has never posed any threat to the United States. America, Mr. Bolton needs reminding, tried "a regime change" in Iran in 1953. The country was called Persia then.
Democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was ousted in a joint C.I.A.-British coup d'état . The Eisenhower administration waved in Mohammad Reza Pahlavi on August 19, 1953. The enforced monarchy worked so well there that, 26 1/2 years later, the Ayatollah Sayyid Ruhollah Mūsavi Khomeini toppled the Shah. Iran and America have been deadly enemies and that didn't start in 1979.
The current American president is a stranger to diplomacy and nuance and thought and hard work. He's a gunslinger with an errant shot and a weapon badly in need of cleaning. How stupid does he think observers are that he walked away from President Obama's signature agreement because he wanted verification beyond 2030? Who is that stupid?
By offering us the ruse of hard-line security considerations, the Trump administration thinks now it can force Iran to its knees, humiliating them on the international stage. All it takes is for any one of the other five signatories to check out of the financial strangleholds that kept Iran on a short leash.
Iran will work to develop a weapon.
Thank Donald Trump for that.
56
Iran was on Bolton's list for "regime change," along with Iraq. That man is deluded enough to consider the Iraq invasion worthwhile and worth repeating.
Now, as then, the answer is that regime change begins at home.
Thanks, as always, for writing.
3
Vandalism shocks. It gets attention, and that's all Trump wants. He's still running a TV show. Panem et circenses and his mob cheers. And November is still 6 months away.....
25
Isn’t what Trump and his gang did to Obamacare also vandalism? Isn’t the whole presidency basically vandalism, character assassination, and lying? Concrete goals and ideas? Fuhgeddaboutit.
34
Kristof’s point about Trump being a vandal hits in at least two respects: his preoccupation with destroying every good thing accomplished by President Obama’s Administration to appeal to the racists in his base who started supporting him when he launched the brother movement.
Another point showing Trump’s inclination to vandalize came during the campaign when he criticized Bush for not taking Iraq’s oil as a spoils of war benefit.
The world will note today that the man in charge of this government is a reckless authoritarian in league with so many dictators he admires in Duterte, Putin, Kim Jong Un and many others.
The American people will soon decide if we want to continue this trend towards authoritarian by this incompetent vandal Trump or by using their votes to change the Congress and then throw this guy out in 2020.
23
Actually, Trump's move is less about vandalism than it is about Trump being who he is and the republicans being who they are.
Like the republican promise of a replacement plan for ObamaCare, Trump never had a plan to put in place a better deal with Iran. But both republican entities have proven far more adept at shouting down someone else's accomplishments than actually putting forth a plan to make things better.
Like Trump's current intent to claw back portions of the budget negotiated in Congress and signed into law by Trump, neither Trump nor the republicans had any intent to abide by their agreement.
The Iranian deal is no different.
Under republican (non) governance and Trump's (non) leadership, our country's rule of law is falling by the wayside. A treaty, a non-proliferation agreement, the nuclear deal after all are legal contracts, just like the budget; eg, law. Trump in his business career clearly saw contracts as temporary mechanisms to enable him to recover time or money enough to try again.
Unless Trump has the same level of follower fanaticism as Hitler, we will be rid of him at the end of his term, or sooner. More problematic is the republican party which demonstrates day after day, deed after deed that they are the party grounded in destroying American values and leadership in the world.
Trump and his republican apologists will go down in history as having the same moral compass as the slaveholders who drove us to Civil War.
21
Under cover of darkness hundreds of billions of cash from the US federal taxpayers fund were sent to Iran ,to the Mullahs whom nothing was owed to by the former President.France nor Germany not Congress were involved.Americans always pay the brunt ,of even legitimate funds,in every international deal or trade agreements. President Trump promised Americans that this corruption will end.End of story.
7
It was their money Mate not the US taxpayers. Never let the facts get in the way of dogma
1
That's a lie. It was Iran's money with interest owed. It wasn't taxpayer funds and the money was returned openly.
It was your party that secretly sent Iran missiles and spare jet parts while publicly talking tough about not "bargaining with terrorists," and then used the money to fund rapists and drug smugglers in Central America. End of story.
1
Alan Einstoss, your comment is untrue. The money sent to Iran was Iranian money banked here as a result of either investments or oil sales. Whatever it was from, it was Iranian money frozen by US, not taxpayer money.
There goes that Nobel Peace Prize!
This sends a great message to North Korea on
the trustworthiness of American negotiations.
14
@ Alan Eintross:
It was also less than $2 Billion, not "hundreds of billions."
1
Where is Democracy in any of this ?
8
As Admiral "Fox" Fallon said, just before he left his command for chastising Bush and Cheney over continued threats against Iran:"This constant drumbeat of conflict...is not helpful and not useful. I expect that there will be no war, and that is what we ought to be working for. We ought to try to do our utmost to create different conditions."
5
Isn’t it obvious? Donald Trump wants a war, and he wants a war at any cost.
There aren’t any remaining major terrorist groups anymore. China has laid it down, and now North and South Korea are reconciling. Russia is starting to become more bark and less bite. Assad isn’t able to be an issue. Donald Trump, quite frankly, has no real enemies.
And for him, that just won’t do. A dictator needs a scapegoat. A dictator needs an enemy. A dictator needs an “other”. They need a way to rally the troops, someone to blame for all of their problems, someone to take it out on when it all goes wrong.
Donald Trump has tried persecuting American Muslims. That didn’t really work. He has tried persecuting American immigrants. That didn’t really work. He has tried persecuting undocumented immigrants; that is working, but who can bomb the bogeyman who lives next door and repairs your sink when it leaks and comes to your Saturday night barbecue? Donald Trump has gone after Africans, South Americans, and Californians.
Now Donald Trump is going after the Middle East - again. He needs a good, solid war. He needs people who look, speak, and act differently than Americans. And then he wants to hurt them to make himself look better.
It doesn’t really matter to Donald Trump who he goes to war with. He just wants a war, the same way he wants a parade and a big rally. Americans are war-weary now, though. Unlike President Bone Spurs, they know the real cost.
388
Spot on!!
24
And Trump saw what a nice little war did for Bush's lackluster presidency...a second term. That message is not lost on General Bone Spurs.
7
We already have wars going on, Afghanistan, Yemen, Africa. Maybe he wants his own war, but what he needs is new distractions from his own incompetence.
4
While the neocon chicken hawks talk about a war with Iran, the people of this country remember how the neocon chicken hawks talked about a war with Iraq.
How we would be greeted as liberators and how it would all be over in a few months. How it would be the beginning of the spread of democracy in the Middle East. How it would be a bulwark against the spread of Iranian influence. How it would create peace in the Middle East.
We remember how wrong they were. We remember how much we paid in blood and treasure for their little adventure. We remember how they sat back and watched while our finest men and women paid for their arrogance and stupidity.
Never again!
17
Trump conveniently did not mention that in 1953, the CIA conducted a violent coup d’état and overthrew Iran’s democratically government. The U.S. put in place and supported a puppet dictator who, with U.S. knowledge and backing, for almost 40 years abused the Iranians. Why - for Oil and to protect the State of Israel, regardless of Israel's actions.
Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost in Middle East conflicts. U.S. Elected Politicians have delivered up thousands of American lives and spent trillions of dollars borrowed from Social Security, Medicare, China, Russia and tax havens on wars in the Middle East.
The U.S. left the Iran Nuclear Agreement. If the U.S. will not live by its agreements, it should also leave the Middle East and stop meddling in the affairs of other countries. If not, the U.S. must be truthful with its citizens about who is pulling our strings and forcing US to borrow money and stop crying foul when other countries meddle in U.S. elections and affairs.
We must find a way to hold self-interested and self-enriching Politicians and their staffers, from both parties, personally liable, responsible and accountable for the lies they have told US, their gross mismanagement of our county, our $21T and growing national debt (106% of GDP), and approximately 80T in future, unfunded liabilities jeopardizing our economic and national security, while benefiting themselves, their party, and special interest donors.
http://www.usdebtforum.com
12
Donald Trump didn't mention the CIA 1953 overthrow of the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran, Mohammad Mosaddegh, because Donald Trump doesn't know it ever happened. He is as ignorant as he is stupid & egotistical.
2
Look no further than America's corporate elites. They are criminals that have exponentially increased their compensation while turning their backs on every stakeholder they have or had.
1
The Trump administration is like a curse, war in the Middle East it’s fulfillment. Once again Trump’s immaturity and vanity lead us into chaos and discord; did we learn nothing from the fiasco of Iraq? Of course not, because in our stratified society so few pay the price for war — Trump’s kids won’t march off to fight. We are a people too ignorant to learn from experience, content to be led by a malevolent, corrupt, and phony pseudo-rich old dope. There, I said what I think, oh, and there will be blood.
207
This is probably another distraction to throw in the air to make people look away from the mounting trouble he is probably in with the Mueller investigation, not to mention his fixer Micheal Cohen. It is an old trick drum up fear of "them" as an excuse to deflect attention away from the truth. Hitler did it with fear of "Dutch" terrorists, then there were the nonexistent weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, a case where international inspections said there were none and were right, but Bolton Cheney and friends wanted a war.
Netanyahu wants the US through Trump to join in a misguided attack on Iran. Trump is willing because he needs a distraction. This can only end badly for the world.
6
Trump is barely a business man but he is vindictive and a thug. He is no politician and could care less, so long as he makes lots of money off of the presidency. As long as Obama had anything to do with policies or agreements, Trump will continue to destroy any vestige of them.
Again we have no plan B, just a strike against Obama. The repercussions of this should be huge but I doubt they will.
5
Additional evidence that the annual WH Correspondence Dinner should be discontinued. I'm convinced that Trump's reason for living is extracting revenge on Obama for exposing him for a buffoon at that event a few years ago. His ego and love-of-self is as gigantic as his soul is minuscule. He wouldn't hesitate for a moment to put his hatred for Obama above the welfare of the country or the lives of its citizens. Sure, the folks who voted for him deserve most of the blame, but it was that annual and incestuous media-pundit event, which the NYT's no longer supports, that put all of this in motion.
4
You may be spot on Number23. In Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power, Greene in his Law 19 cautions the reader to know who they are dealing with so as not to offend the wrong person. He writes of the arrogant and proud man: " any perceived slight will lead to a vengeance of overwhelming violence. There is no sanity behind his overreaction, so do not waste time trying to figure him out. If it any point in your dealings with the person you sense an oversensitive and overactive pride, flee. Whatever you are hoping for from him isn't worth it. " Unfortunately, we can't run from Trump. He is our President.
Trump in a nutshell (so to speak...).
2
This is a 'win-win' if you're either Russia or China.
3
"It’s vandalism." No, Nick, I think it is politics.
--------------------------------------------------------
I think with the mid-term election coming, Trump wants to hang tough. He wants to strengthen his base of Trumpsters, by fulfilling his promise, during the campaign.
Politics, not vandalism, Nick.
I hope that the Democrats will start screaming at him for dominating the news on Iran, to save the Republican House.
=============================================
3
Get ready for a war with Iran just before the 2020 elections. The uninformed "deplorables" who elected Trump will love it. Wag the dog.
6
"So what’s the point of this other than ‘Iranians are bad people and we’re going to hurt them.’ What’s the strategy other than a temper tantrum?”
That could be said of the Republican ideology of governance. Health care; taxes; education; the environment - you name it. The sole objective appears to be to harm anyone they don't like - which means that they want to harm about 90% of the American public and nearly all of the world's population.
8
I guess Nick is finished giving 25 years of discredited advice on how to deal with North Korea. He's decided to try his luck this time on dealing with Iran. The only thing more dangerous is betting on a Paul Krugman stock market prediction.
3
There may be no better deal to be had. Lets don't fool ourselves on the nuclear agreement Iran struck with world powers in 2015. If they can get away with it they will violate the “spirit” as well as the letter of the treaty. That serves their long term interests. To think for a billionth of a second that Iran is a vexing state that can be smartly managed is delusional...even idiotic. We have had zero success... both Republicans & Democrats... in managing anything well in the Middle East from Day One. We have to assume given Iran's past & current conduct that they will always be our enemy until proven otherwise. They have zero long-term potential for democratization, education, Westernization etc. as long as they are funding & directing Hezbollah, which they will continue to do for the immediate future. Hezbollah acts as a proxy for Iran in the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict. Hezbollah was conceived by Muslim clerics & funded by Iran primarily to attack & kill Israelis which they continue to do. Hezbollah actively engages in Holocaust denial & spreads anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Its leaders are committed fanatics. The Arab League, United States, Europe, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, & Israel have classified Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Hezbollah receives most of its financial, training, weapons,, political, & organizational aid from Iran. They are ruthless and violent terrorists...one of the worst in the Middle East. We need to remember that.
3
Well done, Trump voters!
I was about to say that I hope that your conscience keeps you awake at night for what you have done to our country and the world. But then I remembered you have neither the conscience to care nor the IQ to understand what you have done by putting this demented circus clown in office. All you have instead is greed (wanting lower taxes so you can have a few more grubby pennies in your pocket) and/or bigotry (the lowest white man, like Trump, is still better than a woman or any person of color, right?).
15
Obama builds it, Trump breaks it !
7
At the rate Predident Trump is going, he may soon be able to boost his resume from being a mere criminal to that of being a war criminal. Pathetic.
13
It was painful to watch, in real time , how this madman of a president, in one stroke of a pen, un-did a deal that was negotiated by some of the brightest minds in the world.
And for what? To get back at Obama? To divert attention from the on-going investigations he is under? To get those who voted for him to do it again?
Isn’t there any American , other than a porn star, who can topple this despicable megalomaniac?
20
Americans can do that together, in 2020. Even better, this fall we can, if we choose, slap some virtual handcuffs on him by voting to put Congress in Democrats' hands.
1
Plain and simple, it appears as if Donald Trump is falling into that old "Let's have a war to bail out my miserable presidency and play the Patriot Trump Card." We've seen plenty of Republicans fall back on this strategy and normally nothing good comes of it. While the rest of the country would like to have positive relations with countries around the world, Trump seems hell-bent on alienating virtually all of them. He is fiddling while America burns.
5
Trump is a vulgar and malicious man.
His insane envy of Obama will cause him to do anything.
13
Stupid is as stupid does, Mr. Trump.
Where's the brilliant replacement treaty?
5
You can't but be seriously concerned about the prospect of the US being sucked into or itself initiating another major middle east war.
Netanyahu and Israel seem to be emboldened by the informal alliance (or at the very least mutual interest) that Israel has recently developed with Saudi/ UAE with regard to Iran. Combined with an impulsive President Trump needing to distract domestic opinion from multiple investigations and perhaps needing a fillip in for mid term elections. We live in dangerous times.
7
From what I remember, Iran has only used proxy armies to fight their conflicts, except when having to defend their country against Iraq. If Bibbie watched a bunch of bombs from Iran make it to his soil, he would be done for, regardless of what the outcome is. Therefore, the best option is to squeeze the hell out of Iran like the US had finally with wisdom did to North Korea. My opinion would be to walk away from the deal, keep the pressure on financially, and let Iran worry about what happens if they restart nuclear programs. With the help of Saudi Arabia, keep pumping oil and maintaining a moderate cost so Iran finds it hard to make the cash they need. That, and be patient. Bibbie may talk tough, bit the last thing he wants is his little piece of the world to be attacked, regardless of what the outcome is. Trump appears to have the willingness to realize that nothing happens without money, and the more you take it away, the more you can fight a war with a pen instead of wasting the lives of our world citizens wherever they reside.
5
Disastrous move. About the only ones in favor are Trump, Pompeo, and Bolton and the fevered crowd at FOX.
Nobody has mentioned this, but has anyone considered that the US is actually moving closer to Russia, as it moves away from allies who've been by our side for centuries?
This is no accident. Trump seeks to be an authoitarian, destroy everything done by President Obama, and turn the US into an untrustworthy partner in foreign deals.
it also moves us much closer to war as Nicholas mentions. This cannot be underestimated. I believe for some insane reason Donald Trump would love to start a war. it makes him feel "tough" while he hasn't a clue how many would die.
It's a vindictive, petty decision that makes absolutely no sense at all except to warmongers.
He's lied to the American people about what this deal consisted of and why he's doing it. History will not be kind, once the full ramifications of this take effect.
18
Meanwhile, the GOP Congress, stands mute. Will they still have their lips sewn shut when war breaks out, oil prices spike and the stock market crashes? Or will they find some way to blame that on Obama and Hillary? Stand by. Because we're about to find out.
14
No matter how hard this president tries, he cannot destroy President Obama's legacy. He is showing the world who he is and why he's so unpopular at home. Like any juvenile delinquent, the president wrecks everything because he can, without consequences. His promises carry little weight. Even his silly border is a pipe dream.
This president's pure spite will only increase Barack Obama's stature with the passage of time. This president's only legacy this far is chaos and scandal. History will not be kind to the 45th president.
26
That's very encouraging. We just have to make sure our memories are long and our hearts don't get hardened.
Right is on Obama's side, not Trump's.
8
It's sad and pathetic that Trump can't articulate his "opposition" to the agreement in anything other than typical Trumpian hyperbole. It's clear he hasn't read it, doesn't know what's in it (beyond what Fox News told him), and probably is incapable of understanding it even if he did.
Something he has in common with the 35-40% who still support him, I suppose.
9
Trump is a mean spirited juvenile delinquent who hasn't the vision to build, only to destroy what his betters have built out of their deep sense of responsibility to their fellow man. If there is any justice, Netanyahu will soon have reason to regret getting exactly what he wished for. As for Trump, tragically for the world there's nothing inside him that can be touched by the pain he causes others -
9
I'm sure this is going to make Kim Jung-Un quite comfortable.
5
If Rouhani succeeds in having Iran abide by the agreement's terms and the Europeans, Russia and China continue the inspections in place, Trump's withdrawal will be meaningless as will be any US sanctions Congress may try to impose.
10
Add this to the list of decisions based not on rational discourse with global partners, but a personal desire to create a world where diplomacy is past practice.
6
There's no doubt that Donald Trump and his sidekick, John Bolton would like nothing more than engage this country into some kind of a war, and with whom makes little or no difference.
The most important thing is to increase military spending and build bigger walls to further alienate those allies and foes we haven't alienated already.
Besides, what better way to increase one's popularity than by bombing an enemy out of existence, and blaming everything that doesn't work out on the previous administration.
Are we "winning" yet?
17
Trump's vandalism on the Iran deal will signal to Kim that he can play Trump when they meet. Why make a deal that Trump won't honor in the end.
13
Every recent Republican president has started a war when faced with public-opinion challenges. Pulling out of the Iran deal creates a situation in which the only way to prevent Iran's nuclear program from advancing is through war. Trump has no doubt chosen Iran as the best option for a war that might rescue his presidency.
13
All of this decisions are based on promises to his base and the main promise is to do opposite of what Obama has done or at least dismantle his legacy. Although people often say that Trump is not racist, he has racist undertones with a large dose of White Man's revenge. He praises police officers (all colors) but when a lone unarmed man helps save lives, he still refuses to acknowledge it (since he is black). He has raised his profile on race baiting and he will continue to feed this red meat to his base.
11
Actually, "vandalism" strikes me as a pretty good descriptor of the Trump presidency in general!
21
Trump taught us Europeans a valuable lesson: our opinions and perspectives are irrelevant to the US, to Trump and the GOP. We are simply no longer regarded as allies. I am arguing this not because we were disagreed with but because Trump, Bolton and the GOP are pining for war, any war. Trump has been thoroughly outmaneuvered on the Korean Peninsula by China and Chairman Kim so only the Middle East is left. Here he has Netanyahu, who also wants a war, as a supporter and the Saudi’s very keen for Israel and the US to do its dirty work. Such a war will cause significant instability in Middle East which will lead to further streams of refugees, it will lead to more terrorism (The US incompetence in Iraq gave us ISIS - “Bolton still thinks this was the right thing to do”) and all of that will impact Europe first and foremost. Bolton and the NEO-cons, Israel and yes Russia all aim to destabilize and weaken the EU in specific and Europe in general. This makes the current leadership in the US an adversary and not an ally of a democratic Europe. When Trump visits the UK later this year all of Europe should show up in London and make it clear to him and his supporters that they are no longer wanted. The one positive outcome for Europe is that for once we have no choice but to get our act together and much to the disappointment of Republicans we will. Our leaders will continue to stand up for our principles, democratic institutions and free & fair trade, Trump’s America does no longer.
22
The same people complaining about Trump’s action are the exact same people who commented that Trump’s proposed deal with North Korea was bad. Intellectual honesty is hard. Acting as a political hack, easy.
2
I must be ill-informed. I am completely unaware of any deal that Trump has proposed in regard to the North Koreans.
5
You need to look at this decision from a business point of view: war is big business. Check the shares of the companies belonging to trump's friends, the data speak for themselves.
11
The guy's name was Helmuth von Moltke, not Helmuth Von Moltke. Capital letters for his first and family name small letters for his nobiliary particle. 'same as with English, or French nobility like e.g. Richard of Shrewsbury, or Simon de Montfort. Really that difficult? And guess what: The German "von" even means the same as the English "of" or the French "de", at least in this context.
5
If other countries apply sanctions to the US for breaking the deal we deserve it.
8
This is an excellent essay. It will not be read by Donald, as the best evidence we have is that he hasn't the attention span to read more than a headline.
Here is a headline for Donald, dated 5/8/28: Ten years later, the most incompetent and least considered act of a disgraced president is reviewed. (And in smaller type that he might wish to forego: the middle east catastrophe, already costing thousands of lives and causing untold misery, shows no sign of ending).
7
"The reason for Trump’s decision seems obvious: The deal was President Barack Obama’s."
No, not it. Rather, Obama Tehran genuflection.
1
Why does Don the Con think Iran will negotiate any further when he just walked away from the last agreement? The only thing he has proved with this move is that he is totally untrustworthy and, by extension, so is the US.
13
Presidents create things other than 1.3 trillion-dollar tax cuts. Trump's a vandal, a destroyer, a petulant child who can't bear anything Obama did and takes any legacy of Obama's as a personal affront.
Again, when the flag-covered coffins come off the troop transports when we start shooting at Iran, put a MAGA hat atop each one and ask your trump-voting friends, relatives, co-workers if this is what 'great again' means.
Bolton may be even more dangerous than Trump. And I didn't think that was even possible.
12
Vandalism is the correct word. It was the Vandals who subjected the Iranian and Roman civilizations 1500 hundred years ago. I hate it when history repeats itself and progress is blown away by our savage impulses.
6
Vandalism is an apt description for Trump's temper tantrums.
Still, I think of Trump as more of a virus than a vandal.
Trump infects everything he comes into contact with: American credibility, the rule of law, norms of democracy, evangelical claims to a moral political perspective, Republican's oath of office to defend the constitution, ... the list grows longer daily.
The virus spreads ... could Moore and Blankenship be serious candidates in a political world where Trump didn't lower the bar on decency down to the ground?
And like a virus, the destructive effects will remain long after the initial illness is treated. Trump will be with us for a very long time. Which is all he ever really wanted.
8
What's the purpose of all of this? So that the USA and Israel can encourage Iran to restart it's nuclear program and give them an excuse to bomb the country. And that's what they clearly intend to do, even if Iran doesn't progress their nuclear program.
I'm interested to know what will happen if the rest of the countries involved in the deal ignore Trump and drop their sanctions against Iran and begin trading. Then where does that leave the US? Of course this President will try to intimidate and punish any country that does that but if all of them do it? It sounds like a total disaster and a first step to another terrible, terrible and unnecessary war. More death and destruction for the Don's ego.
5
Ripping up the Iran deal was a crowd pleaser at Trump rallies, in a league with Mexico paying for that border wall.
Trump has daily scandals and his party's midterm prospects aren't looking good. How to rally the base? Make good on an inane campaign line!
Even Giuliani got in on it, too. Amidst Rudy's own incoherent, incriminating interviews, he simulated tearing up the Iran Accord for cheap applause.
The real world ramifications of policy are far from Trump's priorities.
5
Mr. Trump’s behavior is mere schoolyard bullying, something his wife seems to be against. How arrogant is it to believe that the Iranians will suddenly crawl back to the table to renegotiate an agreement, the terms of which were never violated, despite what the Israelis claim?
There is every reason to believe that our allies and all the parties to this agreement will continue to do business with Iran, in one form or another. What will prevent Saudi Arabia from working to develop their own nuclear capabilities now that Iran has said they are going to restart enrichment?
Who will trust Mr. Trump now?
5
I am interested in the reaction from other Republicans to this repudiation of the other western worlds assessment of the treaty. It is my understanding all have backed this agreement with Iran as an opening to allow Iran to stabilize their economy with trade. The Iranian people must now feel betrayed by Americas belief they are not to be trusted even though their lives benefited from this treaty. This is President Trump's misguided understanding of this treaty, and is driven by a strong mans attitude "Trump" that can lead us to war. I implore all in our government to speak loudly against Trumps decision regardless of party and just do what is right.
Iran will hear you!
104
Republicans will generally approve of Trump's withdrawal from the deal. Remember that Congressional Republicans actually wrote a letter to Iran advising them against entering into the agreement that Obama's team had negotiated. Congressional Republicans never wanted the Iran deal, and they won't at all mind its demise.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
6
We know Tom Cotton for one is delighted, since he drafted the inappropriate warning to Iran that subsequent presidents can repudiate the deal.
3
This is standard Trump operating procedure, i.e., to break something and have no fix to replace it. He did it with DACA. He's doing it with health care (remember his promise to have something better and cheaper than Obamacare).
In fact, Trump's promises are worthless. Where is his wall? Where is his replacement strategy for the Pacific Trade Treaty. And on and on.
However, his voters love him for these failures. And the GOP in Congress are mute.
320
In November, we who oppose this toxic man will have the opportunity to tie him down by electing Democrats to Congress.
Even better, by then he and his mob may be out of office!
If the above doesn't occur, we and the world will know the type of government we want until at least 2020.
Destruction is simple. Creating is very difficult. His backers don't get it but they eventually will.
12
So sad everyone does not know the first iota of doing a business deal.
Read Trump's boo The Art of the Deal to understand how his mind works.
Then try to match it to his brilliance!
I visited Iran late 2016. While there as a tourist, I was struck by how much care Iranians took of their country - it was clean (albeit run down), the roads were smooth and signed well (in Farsi and English) and there was so much pride in their cities and sites. I was also struck by the friendliness and kindness extended to us.
Talking to some, they were glad for Trump's election stating we needed a "strong man" in power (vs. a woman), but many others were concerned. I wonder how they're feeling today.
Iran will fight in some way or another - a war, siding with Europe, or some other approach - but they will not let this go. What small iota of trust that was regained with the Deal has now been lost. What a shame.
134
Of course there appears to be a big difference between the people of Iran and their political rulers. At a well known American physicist's talk commenting, a few years ago, about the Iran Nuclear Deal he spoke about how when visiting the university in Tehran he was interested to see the highly sophisticated and impressive line up of science courses taught there which far surpassed curriculum at many other universities in the Mideast including those in Saudi Arabia.
10
In fact, having done business with Iranians over the past 20 years and visiting the country every few weeks, there one thing that strikes me and that is that Iran could be the West's most close and logical ally if allowed to join the Western club of nations.
Closer than all the other Gulf states and way more compatible that a "Middle Ages style with modern day technology" Saudi Arabia.
But alas, this would mean to use one's brains in doing diplomacy and that is out of the question when we talk about Trump and his friends of the glowing orb order....
5
It is often a mistake to assume that Trump's choices are arbitrary or motivated by personal pique. Often a good way to understand his choices is to ask what kind of television will this decision result in? (Television being the one thing he is really good at.). Demagogues need enemies, and the Iranians fit the bill. Whether or not this decision ultimately leads to war, or the more likely air strike(s), Trump will be able to whip up his base by railing against those treacherous Iranians.
The real question is whether the national media, given how little respect they have for this president, will once again allow themselves to become complicit in the jingoism. After all, they're pretty focused on good television themselves.
96
Trump is not "good at" television, whatever that means; he just craves endless attention, and he'll do whatever it takes to get it.
22
The legitimate news media is bound by their journalistic mission to cover Trump because he's the president. It's up to the voters and Congress to deal with ending this nightmare.
11
I suggest another test: How will his benefactors benefit?
Putin - higher oil prices will help prop up his regime
Koch Industries - ditto about oil prices
Exxon Mobil - ditto (see a pattern)
MAGA hat wearers - rah rah, send in the Marines to teach those non-whites we are superior
24
Sanctions against Iran are only effective if the rest of the world enforces them, mostly by also sanctioning those countries that would continue to deal with Iran. The UK, the EU, China and Russia see Trump's actions for what they are - nothing more than an emotional and reckless rush to erase President Obama's achievements. If the major powers refuse to go along with new sanctions, there will be few options for the United States. Trump can try to sanction the world, but that would leave the US more isolated than it already is. The world should unite against the policies of the United States. Trump and his racist supporters should be made to understand that the world is now permanently interconnected. If Americans choose leaders like Trump, who think that they can be both isolationist and simultaneously tell the world what to do, they should be made to understand that this is not reality.
143
Wait to see what happens if he meets with Kim!
The North Korean is ruthless and despicable but I'll bet he is much smarter than trump and has been preparing for a long time now.
Meanwhile, DJT thinks he can just act like he did in business......but it won't work!
Unfortunately we will pay for it.
11
Trump is weak, subject to flattery, and is easily swayed by behind the scenes players, the latest being John Bolton.
Now the world knows this.
9
Let’s face it. The announced withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement has everything Donald Trump dreams about.
Withdrawal pleases the most extreme, uneducated members of his core group of supporters.
Withdrawal provides an immediate distraction from the public discussion of his conspiracy with Russia to steal the presidential election.
Withdrawal satisfies his emotional need to take a swipe at Barack Obama, a president who was much smarter and much more popular than he is or ever can be.
Withdrawal fulfills a deep desire he has to conduct a bloody, aggressive war with a nation he believes can be beaten easily.
Withdrawal gives him a chance to thumb his nose at America’s oldest and most valuable allies in Europe.
If you were Donald Trump and as psychologically damaged as he is, you would do exactly what he is now doing.
The damage to America will be permanent, unless there is a bipartisan demand by Congress that he ceases and desists.
257
Well written!
Don't think our gutless Congress will react. We need new players!
12
Withdrawal pleases the weapons manufacturers, who are likely contributors to Trump's re-election campaign and probably book conferences at Trump properties.
16
Trump’s actions are like those of a toddler knocking down a tower of blocks that mommy and daddy just built for him. The toddler doesn’t build a better tower, and Trump lacks the ability to create a better deal with Iran.
Let’s hope the grown-ups in Europe can keep the Iran agreement going.
212
What grown ups? Europe is on the road to irrelevance because its population is imploding. Why is that? Do a bit of research and you'll find out why.
Start here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Civilizations-Die-Islam-Dying/dp/159698273X
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Death-Europe-Immigration-Identity/dp/1472...
There are no 'grown-ups' over there, or over here, either.
Our population continues to get what they elect. That's the sad fate of democracies who forget at their founding only land owners and business owners could vote. People who had skin in the game. Now, any nitwit can vote as we have seen to our chagrin over the past 50 years or so.
When doing research, try reading books and in-depth magazine articles to supplement your diet of websites. History is easily cherry-picked. When ingesting a "fact" that confirms your maverick identity, ask yourself, "How do I know this really happened?" and "What else happened that would add context?" Don't get me wrong--I realize that finding reliable information and an accurate world view is quite difficult. There are no totally trustworthy road signs to tell you that you're approaching truth.
But here's the reason why I'm writing to you--I'm alarmed and so should you be when you find yourself advocating an extreme position such as only landowners and business owners should have the right to vote. Think about it. What would a society like that resemble? Would it be better than the one we have, or worse? There's no Utopia.
ALB
The "toddler" was President Obama.
The trick Nicholas is not to listen to what President Trump is saying at any given moment but to look at what he is accomplishing. From a distance I see to potential for peace in Korea. I see an American economy in transition but with an incredibly low unemployment rate. I see vigorous debate on a number of important topics and Americans getting involved with finding alleviation for issues that are causing them distress. I don't see anyone being afraid of censure for critiquing their president vociferously. I see victims of sexual assault finding their voice, demanding and seeing the beginning of real change. I see that Immigration is finally being addressed seriously and with much needed debate. Many things are alive and well under your President and again it is not what he says about Iran or anything else it is what he eventually accomplishes in making things better for Americans.
So you're praising him for "encouraging debate" by setting a bad example.
2
While one can debate about whether the JCPOA was the best agreement one could theoretically get, it was for all intents and purposes the best that could be realized under the circumstances with USA getting cooperation from EU, Russia, China. Exiting the agreement with no allies following suit, definitely is a blow to USA diplomacy and its ability to get allies to cooperate with us in imposing tight sanctions in the future against any rogue regime.
Besides Trump let us not also forget the toxic role Netanyahu played before, during and after the agreement was signed. He has undermining it systematically to ensure USA and Iran are aligned against each other militarily. It was a shameful display in coming to address congress without Obama admin invitation and now the theatrics of showing outdated documents, while his own military and intelligence was saying the agreement was working.
So Trump foremost and secondarily Netanyahu and his Israeli government are both responsible for this decision and the resulting isolation they will find themselves with no support from allies.
21
Do not forget the complicity of the Republican Party: the seditious letter sent to the Iranian parliament by Sen. Tom Cotton; the constant complaints and threats from Republican politicians; and the silence today from McConnell and Ryan. DJT just had a temper tantrum and is enjoying feeling very tough and manly, no doubt, but he has been enabled and coddled by the corrupt party he now leads. They have blood on all their hands.
10
Liberty and rights are being halved, limited and eliminated by fiat, quota and by power. Skip acts of Congress--border arrests, residents roundup, dirty water, gay bias are carried out by the Executive Office. Today, the worst decision, one that threatens world peace, and its basic commodity, oil, entered an era of risk when Trump pulled the US out of the Iran Accord, an agreement to stop Iran's development of nuclear weapons with full, open inspections. Bad move, Trump said. Iran sponsors terrorism.
Iran has always sponsored terrorism, against severe sanctions. The accord takes away Iran's nuclear threat. Bad move, Trump!
26
/"A crisis won’t necessarily result right away. It could be some months before sanctions would actually kick in, and in any case Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said this week that the nuclear deal could remain in place even if the Americans pull out."/
The question is, will the moderate Hassan Rouhani remain in place? My guess is that the Supreme Leader will remove him, sooner rather than later, and that a hard-liner will win the post again. Perhaps it will be Ahmedinejad again.
13
My guess, and only a guess, is that Saudi Arabia and Russia would like sanctions punishing purchases of oil from Iran. In his announcement today of withdrawal from the Iran deal, Trump announced reinstatement, by the US, of "secondary sanctions" against Iran. Those were explained as sanctions against our allies if they buy oil from Iran, what is sometimes called a secondary boycott. Since both Russia and Saudi Arabia are looking for higher prices for their oil, taking Iran out of the oil market should help these two countries. Hard to say how it might affect our allies in Europe and China. I doubt if Trump has any purpose in this action other than to appease Russia and reward Saudi Arabia. So far the kompromat seems to be working pretty well for Russia.
29
Trump is playing true to his tyoe
Destroyer of all that is ripe,
Ignorant of the past
With hatred that's vast,
Versed only in untruthful hype.
113
There are many arguments both in favor and against the deal, and whether to continue with it. Many mainstream conservatives - including Never-Trumpers- have voiced their opposition to the deal for quite some time, urging us to get out. But for Mr. Kristof, it's all about attacking motives: saying that Netanyahu simply wants war, or that Trump solely wants to dismantle Obama's "legacy." Give us a break. There are many meritorious reasons to cancel the deal, but Mr. Kristof chooses not to struggle with them. Instead he makes childish attacks on people.
5
R.P. Please elaborate with respect to: "there are many meritorious reasons to cancel the deal."
Thank you.
5
Your argument would work better if you mentioned even one of those meritorious reasons.
I'd also like to have your view on what you think will happen now.
11
Can you name one .
It is just an intolerable hatred that white men have for a black guy’s achievement and nothing else .
Pure racial hatred. To pretend otherwise is to cheat oneself .
4
If the great Sunni/Shia war breaks out, and Israel gets trampled in the mess, the world will look back to this moment of ineptitude, incompetence and stupidity. The same goes for if things break down between North and South Korea.
The United States may become a lone wolf, as its allies abandon it over both military and trade issues. "America First" will become "America Alone and Vulnerable".
151
But the "end-of-days" prophesy believers will literally be ecstatic.
16
You might be correct.
While Israel ( I think only the corrupt Netanyahu wants this "war") is the big gun with a professional military and nukes, they need the U.S. to back them up with our military power. The Shias led by Iran are much stronger and more committed than the Sunnis led by an aging, corrupt (Trump BFFs) feckless Saudi Monarchy. My opinion.
The rich Sunni monarchies don't even want to put in a hard day's work, they import smarter people from abroad to do the work. They are going to fight the Iranians on the ground? maybe the Egyptian? seriously.
Where are the "boots on the ground coming from?" The U.S? Again?
I can't say I'm surprised. Someone that had so many bankrupt that hurt lots of subcontractors and still claimed victory, that doesn't give a dead duck about millions of Americans without proper health coverage and is totally comforted with fiscal policies that will deepen the gap between the top rich and the work class, can't be viewed as compassionate person, and if he does not care or has a ounce of empathy for his own compatriots, he sure cares even less about the millions of Iranians that will see their lives worsened.
What is appalling to me is that the same kind of policies of "the worst for them, the best for us and our own interests" keep been applied despite all tragedy it unleashes all around the world. I have yet to see a situation on history were it didn't end up costing more lives than it saved.
It seems to me that he only worry about what he said and facts are just annoying details to be discarded, and a man that thinks his words are more valuable than facts is someone really dangerous once on a power position.
43
Good post Mr. Kristof. I think Khamenei is looking more like a statesman. Ideally, with time the Iranian regime could achieve an Islamic republic kind of like the US which one might consider a Christian republic.....or could have up to about 1966 when the new immigration rules came into play. I will be interesting to see how Trump is going to go after companies that do business now with Iran. Did not Boeing just get a big contract? If Airbus takes it over what is the US government going to do about it? Iran would be best advised to work on its relations with Europe and China and Russia and just ignore the US.
70
Thank you, Nicholas, for actually saying it - the main reason for pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal is because it was an achievement of President Obama. Just as with health care and DACA, the current occupant of the White House is most interested in erasing the successes of his dignified and intelligent predecessor - who coincidentally happened to be the first African-American president. Each of us must make our own conclusion as to whether that fact plays into the current occupant's decisions.
247
It'd absolutely shuddering to think that most of Le Grand Orange's agenda in the Oval Office is driven, quite simply, by the desire to get back at Barack Obama for making gentle fun of him at a correspondent's dinner--which IS advertised as a "roast", no less.
1
Who would have thought that things would move in the right direction with North Korea after all of Trump’s saber rattling.
Trump may not know what he’s doing, but with the law of unintended consequences who knows what this will lead to and maybe we’ll get lucky and it will help.
3
In statistics, the notion of spurious correlation speaks to two things that seem to be causally related, but it turns out that the "effect" was caused by some other factor. I think that there is a good case to be made that while the N. Korea talks followed the saber rattling, that another event (S. Korea's strategy) is the impetus.
When the right-wing media insists on focusing on outcomes rather than process, we ultimately give Trump more credit than he is due. I'd rather a president that seeks a deliberate course that maximizes the likelihood of success than the thoughtless, chaotic president that threatens nuclear war but gets lucky once in a while.
114
I agree, Kevin J., and I think the discussion Kim rode his special train to China to have also played a part.
8
In international relations, the law of unintended consequences is that they are always bad. World War I is a prime example. Millions died because no one believed that nearly every European country would act irrationally. Yet that is precisely what happened. So it is here.
There is no substitute for deliberate, wise, and thoughtful negotiation based on America's long-term national interest. Trump's action is not based on national interest. It is based on his hatred of President Obama. The news articles about the run-up to the announcement show the opposite of deliberation. Wisdom and thoughtfulness aren't even a part of the conversation.
We will pay a terrible price for Trump's temper tantrum.
10
As with health-care reform, Trump’s act of “vandalism” will only serve to vindicate Barack Obama in the long term.
309
I'm not so optimistic. Your conclusion assumes that people, and therefore history, work with an objective set of facts.
11
Unfortunately, whether Obama gets credit or not now pales in comparison to the conflicts that may come from this belligerent act. Like the nixing of the Paris Agreement, rolling back of environmental rules, gutting the State Dept, and every other act of this President Run Amok, we are witnessing the beginning of the demise of our world order, and our world.
26
@Kevin
Not only are those with a modicum of intelligence able to work with an objective set of facts, but they can also distinguish them from a false narrative.