The NYT's record on foreign policy is so wonderful that Washington should lend an ear. They had a great start advising Chamberlain back in the day, and have had great success since then.
24
Let's morph Tillerson's words for a moment:
"America's provocative actions threaten the the nation of Syria, the region and the world”.
That would be an accurate and perfectly understandable comment coming from Syria, or its sponsors, Iran and Russia, in the wake of the surprise missile attack on the Syrian military airbase. So far, Syria and its sponsors have not reacted to that attack, but considering how they have behaved historically, the reaction may well be coming. And it may not be all that obvious.
What's really disturbing though is that was not AMERICA's provocative actions. There was no consensus. We are all witnessing Donald Trump's foolish, reckless behavior as the commander-in-chief raise the level of international tension level to the flash point of war. More disturbing is that Trump's moves are deliberate. He actually believes that his erratic unpredictability is a good thing, and that the US military is the ultimate solution to the complex problems he only superficially understands in Iran and North Korea.
Trump is going to start a war, I'm guessing sometime in 2017. Having done so he will have no idea about how to end it. Republicans will campaign on support for our troops in 2018. Trump will incite the masses with "America First".
"America's provocative actions threaten the the nation of Syria, the region and the world”.
That would be an accurate and perfectly understandable comment coming from Syria, or its sponsors, Iran and Russia, in the wake of the surprise missile attack on the Syrian military airbase. So far, Syria and its sponsors have not reacted to that attack, but considering how they have behaved historically, the reaction may well be coming. And it may not be all that obvious.
What's really disturbing though is that was not AMERICA's provocative actions. There was no consensus. We are all witnessing Donald Trump's foolish, reckless behavior as the commander-in-chief raise the level of international tension level to the flash point of war. More disturbing is that Trump's moves are deliberate. He actually believes that his erratic unpredictability is a good thing, and that the US military is the ultimate solution to the complex problems he only superficially understands in Iran and North Korea.
Trump is going to start a war, I'm guessing sometime in 2017. Having done so he will have no idea about how to end it. Republicans will campaign on support for our troops in 2018. Trump will incite the masses with "America First".
16
To just about everything Trump does I just think, well, what did we expect? I'll be surprised when he does things that are reasoned and sane.
13
Iran's destabilizing role in the mideast? What about America's destabilizing role? Iran lives there but we are outside intruders. Nikki Haley is a loose cannon saying whatever she wants but the whole administration is a loose cannon saying whatever they want and they are being led by a mentally unstable person.
Donald Trump has a “dangerous mental illness” and is not fit to lead the US, a group of psychiatrists has warned during a conference at Yale University.
Donald Trump has a “dangerous mental illness” and is not fit to lead the US, a group of psychiatrists has warned during a conference at Yale University.
16
This editorial sounds like Neville Chamberlain wrote it.
15
Iran is a cultured, multi plural, responsible republic.
In 1347.
2017- Hezbollah in Lebanon. Barrel bombs and gas warfare in Syria. Torturing and murdering Gays and political opponents in Tehran. Repeatedly, publicly, proudly threatening to wipe a neighboring sovereign democratic state (Israel) off the map with nuclear weapons.
The more pragmatic ones put on a good show for us so these type articles get written, just to keep us off balance. How many more years before the liberal press realizes we just cant trust these maniacs?
In 1347.
2017- Hezbollah in Lebanon. Barrel bombs and gas warfare in Syria. Torturing and murdering Gays and political opponents in Tehran. Repeatedly, publicly, proudly threatening to wipe a neighboring sovereign democratic state (Israel) off the map with nuclear weapons.
The more pragmatic ones put on a good show for us so these type articles get written, just to keep us off balance. How many more years before the liberal press realizes we just cant trust these maniacs?
15
This administration is a "Dealmaker" bunch! The problem is that everybody is looking for a deal to enrich themselves and they are only following the "Master"!! It is going to get worse when the interests contradicts one another! Mr Trump insinuated that he would be making "deals" to enrich Americans, but he is not doing that!!
6
I think Mr. Trump should invite Mr. Rouhani to Washington DC. There would be no worry about covering naked statues (to avoid offending his eyes) since we ourselves do not have any!
And perhaps Mr. Rouhani who does not want see naked statues, and Mr. Pence who does not want to have lunch with any woman other than his wife would make good friends.
As Thich Nhat Hanh says, "There is no way to peace. Peace IS the way."
And perhaps Mr. Rouhani who does not want see naked statues, and Mr. Pence who does not want to have lunch with any woman other than his wife would make good friends.
As Thich Nhat Hanh says, "There is no way to peace. Peace IS the way."
4
The poor will fight and die while the rich roar and profit...
This, my friends, if what trump meant by 'jobs' and 'great'..... a vulgar, lying, imbalanced, disgusting human being....
How can his supporters be so blind, uncaring and foolish ?
This, my friends, if what trump meant by 'jobs' and 'great'..... a vulgar, lying, imbalanced, disgusting human being....
How can his supporters be so blind, uncaring and foolish ?
15
Rather than Roosevelt's "speak softly and carry a big stick", Trump's motto appears to be "throw a rock and they will cower". At 70, Trump seems not to have learned that "hate begets hate". Unfortunately for America, neither have his supporters.
21
good luck going to war with iran. a country have the size of western europe, population of over 80mil and worlds 2nd largest gas/oil fields. usa spend nearly 3 trillion banckrupting us in iraq/afganistan - be ready to increase that by several folds in iran. war always = loss.
12
Unfortunately for us, Trump knows as much about the Middle East as he knows about Korea--which is absolutely nothing. And Tillerson is just as ignorant. But Trump does understand his polls are terrible and wrongly believes that a bit of saber rattling might lift them; we can only hope that the Iranians are smarter than he and will not react to Trump's stupidity.
14
Where is this admin going with this? You think they know? They are sort of taking the Saudi line because it's sort of the Israeli line. But the only way to move forward is to except the deal. Trump never read the bargain with Iran. He just railed against it like he did against trade deals and everything else he knows nothing about. Beside the Syria - Yemen - Shiite - Sunni thing, the Saudi's also don't want Iran's oil out there cause the price will fall even cheaper.
All the countries that want to invest and do business with Iran have to move slowly because the U.S. doesn't know whether it's coming or going and insists on this confrontational tone constantly. We are like this pyorrhea on the world now. It's really getting sickening. The only hope is if the congress decides to wise up and step up. War with Iran is a futile idea, as it is with N Korea. Iran want's to do business. That is the way towards stability and trust.
Orange, NJ
All the countries that want to invest and do business with Iran have to move slowly because the U.S. doesn't know whether it's coming or going and insists on this confrontational tone constantly. We are like this pyorrhea on the world now. It's really getting sickening. The only hope is if the congress decides to wise up and step up. War with Iran is a futile idea, as it is with N Korea. Iran want's to do business. That is the way towards stability and trust.
Orange, NJ
8
Bullying anybody is not likely to be effective as respectful, civil conduct would be.
Our bully in chief thinks that name calling and false propaganda will get him what he wants, whatever that may be at any given moment. Bullies are just fearful, dumb guys who don't understand something. Then they blame somebody else for their own failing, viz. W.
But more than just throwing his very considerable, flabby weight around, Trump is just blowing smoke to try to distract us from the fact that he has done nothing but very laboriously sign executive orders as if his name were Trumpelstiltskinski.
His honeymoon is over. He's got to create a new crisis each day to validate himself and make our heads spin so we can't concentrate on the fact that he is a know-nothing phony.
Iran is no threat to us. He should focus on ISIS, which, as I recall, he was going to 'totally destroy' on day one.
Our bully in chief thinks that name calling and false propaganda will get him what he wants, whatever that may be at any given moment. Bullies are just fearful, dumb guys who don't understand something. Then they blame somebody else for their own failing, viz. W.
But more than just throwing his very considerable, flabby weight around, Trump is just blowing smoke to try to distract us from the fact that he has done nothing but very laboriously sign executive orders as if his name were Trumpelstiltskinski.
His honeymoon is over. He's got to create a new crisis each day to validate himself and make our heads spin so we can't concentrate on the fact that he is a know-nothing phony.
Iran is no threat to us. He should focus on ISIS, which, as I recall, he was going to 'totally destroy' on day one.
8
During the election, our now SCP used right wing radio talking points, WWF theatrics, and a bull in the china shop persona to win enough votes in the right places to win. He was clearly devoid of any substantial knowledge of the issues.
He still exhibits a lack of knowledge of issues. He does have some people around him who do, who are now in the position of trying to make the SCP pronouncements seem related to the issues - a difficult task.
In addition, we have a reactionary majority in Congress that wishes to use this man to undo the New Deal, the Great Society, the Civil Rights Acts, the Voting Rights Acts, and any progressive actions of the last 70-100 years. Until they succeed, we can expect little from them.
Unless the Democrats can eke out enough of a gain in the Senate in the next election, those of us who are alternately appalled and frightened by the actions of this administration may as well begin planning for our own decent into decay.
He still exhibits a lack of knowledge of issues. He does have some people around him who do, who are now in the position of trying to make the SCP pronouncements seem related to the issues - a difficult task.
In addition, we have a reactionary majority in Congress that wishes to use this man to undo the New Deal, the Great Society, the Civil Rights Acts, the Voting Rights Acts, and any progressive actions of the last 70-100 years. Until they succeed, we can expect little from them.
Unless the Democrats can eke out enough of a gain in the Senate in the next election, those of us who are alternately appalled and frightened by the actions of this administration may as well begin planning for our own decent into decay.
8
Israel is continually stirring the pot over Iran, then expects the United States to do all the heavy lifting. Israel is capable of taking care of itself. It should so.
Why shouldn't Iran have nuclear weapons? Israel does. Pakistan and India do as well, just to name a few. Iran is accused of being unstable and not to be trusted with nuclear weapons.
Donald Trump should be trusted with his finger on the trigger? Trump sends a missile attack to Syria, and claims he sent them to Iraq. Trust Trump? Not for all the tea in China, thank you very much.
Why shouldn't Iran have nuclear weapons? Israel does. Pakistan and India do as well, just to name a few. Iran is accused of being unstable and not to be trusted with nuclear weapons.
Donald Trump should be trusted with his finger on the trigger? Trump sends a missile attack to Syria, and claims he sent them to Iraq. Trust Trump? Not for all the tea in China, thank you very much.
As much as Trump is known for lashing out and blaming previous administrations for making horrible deals or doing things bad things that create a mess, it's kind of amazing he doesn't bring up the CIA's 1953 Operation Ajax. It was a huge turning point in America and Iranian relations. And the resulting mess has been hanging around for the 64 years since.
19
Just as with the old Soviets the best policy is to out sit them. All the while keeping the pressure on Iran's hard line clerics over human rights violations and the export of Iran's Shia based destabilization tactics.
Just as in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968 it is not in our interest to attempt a war to push the clerics from power. They will end up out of power anyway as long as we continue to resist and show that we will never bend knee to their designs. Let the Iranians do the rest. Do not underestimate our soft power here.
Groups such as the Iranian Resistance Movement and many other expat groups based in the region and in Europe will take care of them in due time. Internally the Green Movement will also continues to grow as evidenced by the unrest in the 2009 election and ongoing opposition to the hardliners from the populace.
What will not happen is a sudden outbreak of love for the U.S. After we decapitated a freely elected government in 1953 and replacing Mossadegh with the Shah have little reason to like or trust us. That will only change if we live up to our own standards and respect theirs. American Hegemonists want war but it would end up like Iraq. And the Iranians are a much harder military foe. Keep in mind how they resisted Saddam in the 1980's. Not to mention how taking a divided America into war only sets us up for a loss.
Say no to the American Hegemonists and their NeoCon apologists.
Just as in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968 it is not in our interest to attempt a war to push the clerics from power. They will end up out of power anyway as long as we continue to resist and show that we will never bend knee to their designs. Let the Iranians do the rest. Do not underestimate our soft power here.
Groups such as the Iranian Resistance Movement and many other expat groups based in the region and in Europe will take care of them in due time. Internally the Green Movement will also continues to grow as evidenced by the unrest in the 2009 election and ongoing opposition to the hardliners from the populace.
What will not happen is a sudden outbreak of love for the U.S. After we decapitated a freely elected government in 1953 and replacing Mossadegh with the Shah have little reason to like or trust us. That will only change if we live up to our own standards and respect theirs. American Hegemonists want war but it would end up like Iraq. And the Iranians are a much harder military foe. Keep in mind how they resisted Saddam in the 1980's. Not to mention how taking a divided America into war only sets us up for a loss.
Say no to the American Hegemonists and their NeoCon apologists.
21
Iran is replacing their aging commercial air liners with new Boeing and Airbus airliners since President Obama freed their US located cash assets and also lifted the US trade Sanctions against Iran as a part of his US nuclear treaty with Iran.
Iran might use and/or sell their older airliners for one-way suicide deliveries of nuclear devices and CBR WMD agents to selected targets in Europe and the USA, by flying with additional fuel tanks in the passenger compartment instead of passengers and seats to at least double the flying time and range of these older airliners.
Muslims could fly these airplanes VFR below controlled airspace and then follow in the wake of a scheduled airline flight to some destination that they desire with their transponders turned off. The Islamic suicide flight could leave the wake of the scheduled airline at the last minute and detonate a nuclear device over the USA or Europe city at about the optimum altitude for maximum effect.
Iran might use and/or sell their older airliners for one-way suicide deliveries of nuclear devices and CBR WMD agents to selected targets in Europe and the USA, by flying with additional fuel tanks in the passenger compartment instead of passengers and seats to at least double the flying time and range of these older airliners.
Muslims could fly these airplanes VFR below controlled airspace and then follow in the wake of a scheduled airline flight to some destination that they desire with their transponders turned off. The Islamic suicide flight could leave the wake of the scheduled airline at the last minute and detonate a nuclear device over the USA or Europe city at about the optimum altitude for maximum effect.
4
Bullying another country is rarely, if ever, effective. The attitude towards rogue states should be either their total isolation -- hardly achievable, or finger ready on the trigger. The great unknown is how long would it take North Korea, Iran and/or Saudi Arabia, through the latter's support of non-integration of Muslims in the West, to present a real tangible danger to the US.
1
This president is simultaneously provoking Iran, North Korea and Russia.
He's increasing our involvement in the Middle East--we're in 5 countries now.
His tweeting behavior has remained absurdly immature.
Yesterday Trump once more hopped onto Twitter to comment that he "would still have beaten Clinton in the popular vote."
Still preoccupied with that? It is head-scratching.
He spoke with AP journalist Julie Pace on Friday, and the transcript of the interview revealed him as bombastic and absurd. Some have said unstable.
https://commons.commondreams.org/t/trumps-ap-interview-unhinged-bombasti...
5 days ago, at the conference at Yale's School of Medicine, a practicing psychotherapist --who has advised psychiatric residents at the prestigious
Johns Hopkins University Medical School--- said: “We have an ethical responsibility to warn the public about Donald Trump...."
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-dangerous-...
He's increasing our involvement in the Middle East--we're in 5 countries now.
His tweeting behavior has remained absurdly immature.
Yesterday Trump once more hopped onto Twitter to comment that he "would still have beaten Clinton in the popular vote."
Still preoccupied with that? It is head-scratching.
He spoke with AP journalist Julie Pace on Friday, and the transcript of the interview revealed him as bombastic and absurd. Some have said unstable.
https://commons.commondreams.org/t/trumps-ap-interview-unhinged-bombasti...
5 days ago, at the conference at Yale's School of Medicine, a practicing psychotherapist --who has advised psychiatric residents at the prestigious
Johns Hopkins University Medical School--- said: “We have an ethical responsibility to warn the public about Donald Trump...."
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-dangerous-...
6
One must ask; "what planet published the NYT?". Several administrations have been in dialog with Iran for years and Iran has made fools of them, including Obama. With his midnight delivery of billions of dollars in unmarked aircraft, Obama thought he could purchase Iran's compliance but alas , Iran is defying the world, sponsoring terrorism and in well on the path to development of its nuclear capability. Weakness and foolishness have always yields danger for the world and this situation is no exception. Only strength and intolerance of Iran's irresponsible activities will yield results. One only need look at the results of Clinton's agreement with North Korea and subsequent 20 years of weakness and discussion with them to determine the probably outcome of the NYT suggestions.
5
Donald TROUBLE Trump. Just saying.
4
Why is Iran demonized but Saudi Arabia which funnels funds to the Taliban and ISIS gets a pass? I believe the Saudis have indirectly and directly killed more people than the Iranians.
I get that Israel is threatened by Iran having a bomb but it seems that Sunni terrorism which has spread to Europe, Africa, and SE Asia is much more of a threat to the general welfare.
I get that Israel is threatened by Iran having a bomb but it seems that Sunni terrorism which has spread to Europe, Africa, and SE Asia is much more of a threat to the general welfare.
11
Trump and his administration are a bunch of monkeys. They just jump from one branch to another branch without any final destination/goal. They are only looking for bananas in the banana republic they have created. So there is no point to analyse their primordial behavior.
1
C'mon! We have a very lot of experience at bullying other countries.....why stop now? The NRA and most members of our elected Congress seem to always be in favor of starting a war - anywhere, anytime, for very little reason. Well, at least, as long as our electeds will not be shot at nor their children subject to dying in a foreign land. Death in combat seems to be acceptable to our electeds as long as it happens to "somebody else's chidren" I suppose Iran is as good as any other foreign place for them to die and end up in Arlington......
2
Get the West out of the Middle-East and we'll see a big difference in a very short period of time.
8
Iran does not need nuclear energy. But if they're going to build reactors, why not on one of its numerous --- very active -- fault lines? That alone is reason enough to say no.
When bombast and bullying are the go to options in the orange ones diplomacy (he doesn't do nuance) the likelihood of rational actions is incumbent upon other players, like President Xi has done in the past to bring the orange one up to speed with reality, as President Xi recently did in explaining the complex relationship with North Korea. Rational actions not being his forte, frequent briefings on reality will be required
1
Walking away from the Iranian nuclear agreement will have a harmful effect upon any possible agreement with North Korea.
We already reneged on a previous nuclear agreement after 911 and we now have a President that has no integrity or ethics.
Three options-War-agreement or living with a serious threat to US.
We already reneged on a previous nuclear agreement after 911 and we now have a President that has no integrity or ethics.
Three options-War-agreement or living with a serious threat to US.
Why the USA pays USA taxpayer funds to wealthy nations such as Iran and North Korea to stop nuclear testing, that they obviously have no intention of doing, beggars belief! That money should be spent on building a stronger USA - improved infrastructure, education, borders, and welfare of your own citizens.You're just paying your enemies to spend more money on their own nuclear advancement plans to get rid of nations they hate so vehemently . A leopard never changes it's spots. Only 18 out of 57 muslim nations signed a UN Coalition agreement to fight isis. Any muslim nations that did not sign the UN Coalition agreement to fight isis should be on the' banned from immigrating to the USA' list. Why let the enemy inside your nation? Doing so will only result in making the Islamic state stronger by using the democratic voting system to change a USA democracy into a muslim theocracy.
The less muslims in your nation = less problems and no terrorist attacks. New Zealand has had no terrorist attacks and that's because we have strict immigration laws and limit our refugee quota to 1000 a year. The bigger the population of muslims in a western world democracy then the bigger the problem.
The less muslims in your nation = less problems and no terrorist attacks. New Zealand has had no terrorist attacks and that's because we have strict immigration laws and limit our refugee quota to 1000 a year. The bigger the population of muslims in a western world democracy then the bigger the problem.
2
Perhaps bullying is exactly what is needed to deal with Iran.
The U.S. embassy hostages were released because of candidate Reagan's bullying speeches, and certainly not because of Jimmy Carter's appealing to the better sense of the Iranian government.
The Iranians came to Mr. Obama's negotiating table because they had to, as their economy was falling apart; Obama promptly gave away the farm, and the next administration is left holding the bag.
Mr Trump is in no position to abrogate the deal, if only to avoid an uproar by our other allies who are busy signing contracts with Iranian businesses.
But let us not pretend that this deal is worth anything.
Like the Syrians, the Iranians are probably hoarding a good set of chemical or nuclear material.
After all, when was the last verifiable inspection ?
The U.S. embassy hostages were released because of candidate Reagan's bullying speeches, and certainly not because of Jimmy Carter's appealing to the better sense of the Iranian government.
The Iranians came to Mr. Obama's negotiating table because they had to, as their economy was falling apart; Obama promptly gave away the farm, and the next administration is left holding the bag.
Mr Trump is in no position to abrogate the deal, if only to avoid an uproar by our other allies who are busy signing contracts with Iranian businesses.
But let us not pretend that this deal is worth anything.
Like the Syrians, the Iranians are probably hoarding a good set of chemical or nuclear material.
After all, when was the last verifiable inspection ?
3
As soon as someone figures out "where is Mr. Trump going with this?" please let us all know. Far as I can tell, he's the only person who has any notion, and most of the time I think even he lacks an idea.
1
The mullahs cannot and will not be stopped from developing nuclear weapons by anything less than overwhelming might.
Appeasement of fanatics doesn't work.
This one part of the Obama Kerry Rice Powers legacy that needs to be gutted.
Appeasement of fanatics doesn't work.
This one part of the Obama Kerry Rice Powers legacy that needs to be gutted.
4
Regardless of one's views on Iran as a threat, North Korea is a "clear and present danger."
The North Korea "can" has been kicked down the road for decades by Dems and the GOP. We watched and did next to nothing as NK built (and continues to build) it's nuclear arsenal - and literally starved its own citizens in the process.
Now NK is holding the 35 million citizens of Seoul as hostage as it continues to develop an ICBM capable of striking anywhere in the world.
This is a job for a strong POTUS. Too bad we all didn't think on that a little harder before the election.
The North Korea "can" has been kicked down the road for decades by Dems and the GOP. We watched and did next to nothing as NK built (and continues to build) it's nuclear arsenal - and literally starved its own citizens in the process.
Now NK is holding the 35 million citizens of Seoul as hostage as it continues to develop an ICBM capable of striking anywhere in the world.
This is a job for a strong POTUS. Too bad we all didn't think on that a little harder before the election.
14
"Mr. Tillerson ....said the administration was reviewing whether suspending sanctions continues to advance American interests".
Mr. Tillerson, can you clearly explain to us what you mean by the vague term "American interests"?
Do you mean American corporate interests?
Do you mean the American Congress interests in satisfying AIPAC/Netanyahu?
Surely you don't mean preventing an Iranian attack on the continental USA .... or is this what you're trying to imply to the American public?
Mr. Tillerson, can you clearly explain to us what you mean by the vague term "American interests"?
Do you mean American corporate interests?
Do you mean the American Congress interests in satisfying AIPAC/Netanyahu?
Surely you don't mean preventing an Iranian attack on the continental USA .... or is this what you're trying to imply to the American public?
25
I profess no love for Sunni extremists, but they are more a result of the long winded Syrian war (and Iraqi turbulence) which is fueled by Shiites.
There are no heroes amongst either groups extremists, and certainly ISIS fighters are beyond barbaric. But, Shiites aren't regarded by this paper as extremist at all, though the continued rhetoric of the Ayatollah in Iran against Israel is certainly extreme. How can the U.N. tolerate a country which openly promises to destroy another?
Sorry, if intelligent diplomacy with Iran regarding its holding U.S. citizens illegally, and its support for Hezbollah, the main agent employed against Israel, doesn't bear fruit, then "bullying" them with sanctions is the only way. IF the nuclear agreement with Iran means no sanctions, period, regarding any/all non-nuclear aggression, then that deal will unravel itself, deservedly.
There are no heroes amongst either groups extremists, and certainly ISIS fighters are beyond barbaric. But, Shiites aren't regarded by this paper as extremist at all, though the continued rhetoric of the Ayatollah in Iran against Israel is certainly extreme. How can the U.N. tolerate a country which openly promises to destroy another?
Sorry, if intelligent diplomacy with Iran regarding its holding U.S. citizens illegally, and its support for Hezbollah, the main agent employed against Israel, doesn't bear fruit, then "bullying" them with sanctions is the only way. IF the nuclear agreement with Iran means no sanctions, period, regarding any/all non-nuclear aggression, then that deal will unravel itself, deservedly.
4
America must take a strong stand on Iran, and reverse the milquetoast policy of Obama, which included a $400 million ransome payment. America became a laughing stock under Obama, it fine we return to a position of strength under President Trump. Thank you.
7
The money in question was rightfully the property of the Iranians. That's a well documented fact. Deniers like yourself have chosen to believe otherwise.
4
You got your history wrong, dude (or you never read about it in the first place).
The "payment" you cite represented a return of Iran's money; it was never "ours" in the first place.
The "payment" you cite represented a return of Iran's money; it was never "ours" in the first place.
6
Southern Boy, you really need to check your facts before sounding off on a topic you clearly know nothing about. The money you refer to is only a fraction of the money illegally confiscated by the U.S.. It belonged to Iran.
"Never insult an enemy in a small way!" (Machiavelli)
3
"...working with the Iranians is a much more logical choice than bullying them." You just can't reason with a Muslim.
Yes, because being nice to them and asking their cooperation was how they became the world's largest funder of terrorism (even according to the Obama administration) and developed their nuclear program. We tried "being nice", paid them scads of cash, and they responded by kidnapping American sailors, continuing their terrorist support, etc.
Right - more hand-wringing and kowtowing will the mullahs so nice.
Right - more hand-wringing and kowtowing will the mullahs so nice.
7
George S., are you a propagandist or do you simply not have a clue what you are writing about. The American sailors stupidly breached Iranian waters and were promptly released. They were never 'kidnapped'. Not even God could have helped them if they had been captured by a Sunni-Wahhabi group. They would have been burned alive and the ordeal video-taped.
1
May there perhaps still ba some relevance to the old geopolitical axiom that "Russia's enemy must be Iran's friend?"
I have noticed a dearth of news about Iran lately. This article seems to be going in several directions at one time: The nuke deal is working or it's not, Trump wants out but his staff says no, the Saudis and Iranians religious civil war persists (probably as the proxy war in Syria) and way down at the end there is mention about two hostage "businessmen" which is what this article is really about. Predictively there will be another small article in a few days with details about what these fellows and the iranian agency are up too.
What might we want to cooperate with them on? Destroying Israel, supporting terrorism, opposing the Saudis??? Perhaps we could cooperate by keeping our ships thousands of miles away from them, or letting them do whatever their leaders might like. We could sell them stuff that would be OK to a certain degree. They hate us, they want us gone at least from their area of the world and perhaps entirely. No to cooperating!!!
5
Dealing with World politics requires the same skills as an artisan crafting a piece of marble or clay. You need an ability to look at the whole raw amorphous object in front of you and have the vision, and the skills, to use fine instruments to pull away the small pieces that obstruct your view on the surface to reveal the end result you desire.
Trump has no true vision or skills on the word political scene. He is simply a fool with a sledge hammer who swings it widely with his uneducated/unskilled hand while professing to make things "great again". In the end he will leave a trail of rubble in his wake and no tangible result to show the U.S. or World except damage.
Trump has no true vision or skills on the word political scene. He is simply a fool with a sledge hammer who swings it widely with his uneducated/unskilled hand while professing to make things "great again". In the end he will leave a trail of rubble in his wake and no tangible result to show the U.S. or World except damage.
14
Jews in Florida contributed greatly to Trump's victory in Florida. In addition, his advisor, Kushner is a devoted Zionist. Iran supports the Shia forces in Iraq and had a clandestine nuclear program.
However, at this point the nuclear program has been blocked by Obama and Iran greatly contributes in fight against ISIS.
Trump tries to please his Zionist friends. Trump is certainly incompetent but I doubt Mattis and McMaster would let him do anything stupid like military attacks against Iran. Even for a competent administration, Middle East is a complex area. See how we miserably celebrate when Trump just condemns Russia's support for Assad. For Trump administration the bar has been set very low.
However, at this point the nuclear program has been blocked by Obama and Iran greatly contributes in fight against ISIS.
Trump tries to please his Zionist friends. Trump is certainly incompetent but I doubt Mattis and McMaster would let him do anything stupid like military attacks against Iran. Even for a competent administration, Middle East is a complex area. See how we miserably celebrate when Trump just condemns Russia's support for Assad. For Trump administration the bar has been set very low.
5
The Iran deal is as watertight as Obama's Syrian chemical weapons deal. We saw how that turned out.
9
To defuse tensions, keep Trump in the dark. If you don't tell him about Iran, he won't know about Iran. Most disinterested and uneducated president in history. I genuine embarrassment.
13
Mr. Tillerson tells us that “Iran remains a leading state sponsor of terror”.
The hypocrisy is astounding!
Mr. Tillerson, perhaps you should read the definition of "terrorism" and reconsider your statement. You may want to just go hide in the corner, because, according to the definition, the US has been mother of all terrorists (Hiroshima, Nagasaki, South Vietnam) and the world leader in sponsoring terrorism by others (Chile, Guatemala, Brazil, El Salvador, Nicaragua, etc.).
The hypocrisy is astounding!
Mr. Tillerson, perhaps you should read the definition of "terrorism" and reconsider your statement. You may want to just go hide in the corner, because, according to the definition, the US has been mother of all terrorists (Hiroshima, Nagasaki, South Vietnam) and the world leader in sponsoring terrorism by others (Chile, Guatemala, Brazil, El Salvador, Nicaragua, etc.).
8
And our second most important ally in the middle east is Saudi Arabia, the world's leading exporter of extremist Islam.
2
But Netanyahu demands that you bully, so get to work Mr. President and do as you're told.
7
Mr tillarson laid out the case against Iran in crystal clear language. President Trump said that this is the worst deal concocted. But now that the previous administration did sign this deal what do you do. So the president is making it clear if the Iranians will go on destabilizing the region there will be consequences. People around the globe know that president trump unlike his predecessor takes action as the case in syria. Why is the NY times bleating???
6
It is the US that destabilized the region, with a war in Iraq, based on lies. There was no All Queda in Iraq, until we invaded, and ISIS grew out of Al Queda. .
We destabilized Egypt with the Bush tax cuts that made a glut of cash, which instead of getting invested as promised bought up wheat, in a commodity bubble, doubling the price of food.
The US goes around the world installing dictators and undermining democracies, one of the most famous instances being the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Iran, which we replaced with the Shah.
Until our actual policies begin to resemble our soaring rhetoric, we will be the leading exporter of terrorism and destabilizer of the world.
I am a patriot that loves my country and wants it to be truly exceptional. There is nothing exceptional about striding the world with a giant military squeezing countries to profit global corporations.
The war on terror is a lame excuse to wage war for profit. Just stop.
We destabilized Egypt with the Bush tax cuts that made a glut of cash, which instead of getting invested as promised bought up wheat, in a commodity bubble, doubling the price of food.
The US goes around the world installing dictators and undermining democracies, one of the most famous instances being the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Iran, which we replaced with the Shah.
Until our actual policies begin to resemble our soaring rhetoric, we will be the leading exporter of terrorism and destabilizer of the world.
I am a patriot that loves my country and wants it to be truly exceptional. There is nothing exceptional about striding the world with a giant military squeezing countries to profit global corporations.
The war on terror is a lame excuse to wage war for profit. Just stop.
3
Here is the threat that is Iran:
- It enforces a view of reality that is equivalent to the Nazi dictatorship, imprisoning and killing anyone who disagrees with its Supreme Leaders.
- It willfully exports its view of reality to any and every group that promises to uphold its view of reality in external territories.
- It is intentionally building weapons and delivery systems with which it can intimidate anyone near or far to bow before it.
- It funds any and every group that promises to kill Americans or Jews.
Iran is the Nazi Germany of the 21st century. Only a blind fool would fail to see that. Any attempt to beg and plead and negotiate with it will fail as did all the attempts to achieve "peace in our time" did with Nazi Germany.
- It enforces a view of reality that is equivalent to the Nazi dictatorship, imprisoning and killing anyone who disagrees with its Supreme Leaders.
- It willfully exports its view of reality to any and every group that promises to uphold its view of reality in external territories.
- It is intentionally building weapons and delivery systems with which it can intimidate anyone near or far to bow before it.
- It funds any and every group that promises to kill Americans or Jews.
Iran is the Nazi Germany of the 21st century. Only a blind fool would fail to see that. Any attempt to beg and plead and negotiate with it will fail as did all the attempts to achieve "peace in our time" did with Nazi Germany.
7
The creation of a coherent, fact-based strategy requires attention to both the aims and the subtleties inherent in its creation. It is, by definition, a process rather than a pronouncement which ultimately leads to the achievement of a desired outcome.
Diplomacy has its flaws, but it remains the most civilized manner in solving disputes among nations. Diplomacy requires a firm, clear and consistent path which recognizes and accounts for the needs of both parties.
I do not currently see these conditions existing in the Trump administration.
Diplomacy has its flaws, but it remains the most civilized manner in solving disputes among nations. Diplomacy requires a firm, clear and consistent path which recognizes and accounts for the needs of both parties.
I do not currently see these conditions existing in the Trump administration.
24
Thanks to Obama's policy of appeasement (and misinformed editorials like this), the extraordinarily dangerous Iranian regime has spread all over the Middle East like a cancer and is knee deep in Syria, supporting the genocidal Bashar Assad. That's 500,000 dead in Syria in case the NYT Editorial forgets. The woefully written nuclear deal allows Iran to "self-inspect" and if they're not already cheating they will be (the deal allows the Iranians to "self-inspect" and bars IAEA inspectors from certain sites. Our allies in the region - Israel, Arab emirates, Jordan, Egypt, SA - know full well the danger the limited (10 year), weakly enforced nuclear deal sets up for the entire region.
Obama left a dangerous mess in the Middle East with his spurious red lines and feckless "lead from behind policy." A mess the current administrating is being forced to clean up. Trump sent a clear shot across the bow with his Syria strike. The Iranians would be wise to heed it.
Obama left a dangerous mess in the Middle East with his spurious red lines and feckless "lead from behind policy." A mess the current administrating is being forced to clean up. Trump sent a clear shot across the bow with his Syria strike. The Iranians would be wise to heed it.
11
This bluff and bully strategy that Trump has used for decades is exactly what frightened so many of us, when we thought about him sitting in the Oval Office. Trump has not only continued this irrational approach to foreign affairs, he appears to be clueless to the immense danger he puts this country in every day. Thank goodness the Iranian leaders appear to be more rational and logical than Trump and his advisors. N.Korea's leader is certifiably crazy and could seriously misread Trump. So far, however, the Iran's are looking like the adults in the room when it comes to the nuclear deal and how to avoid an all-out disaster that the middle east will regret for decades to come.
19
Work with Iran. That's hilarious. On the eve of the "nuclear deal," the Iranians capture U.S. Navy patrol craft which strayed into their territorial waters due to mechanical problems and navigation error, and humiliate the crew, complete with video for all to see. The appropriate response from Iran should've been a non-hostile encounter, offer of aid to sailors at sea, and a public release of a statement saying they provided aid to the disabled craft which obviously had no intent of straying into their waters. On top of this, Iran continues to hold former FBI agent Bob Levinson hostage. Outrageous.
13
fairtax, your comment contains all the worst aspects of revisionist propaganda. Just thank your lucky stars that the sailors weren't seized by any revolutionary Sunni group. The videos would have been vastly different from the ones the Iranians took and which you are complaining about.
2
fairtax, the situation is indeed 'outrageous', by which I mean:
-- Outrageous U.S. overthrow of the first and only democratically elected secular government in the history of the Middle East;
-- Outrageous support of Saddam Hussein's illegal invasion of Iran;
-- Outrageous suppression of all news regarding Saddam's chemical weapons attacks on Iran;
-- Outrageous bombing of an Iranian civilian airliner with 290 civilian men, women and children on board;
-- Outrageous invasion of Iraq and outrageous bombing of Libya and Syria;
-- Outrageous support of those responsible for 9/11 and every extremist act since;
- Outrageous support of Israeli expansionism in violation even of U.S. Law;
Do I need to continue? Outrageous indeed.
-- Outrageous U.S. overthrow of the first and only democratically elected secular government in the history of the Middle East;
-- Outrageous support of Saddam Hussein's illegal invasion of Iran;
-- Outrageous suppression of all news regarding Saddam's chemical weapons attacks on Iran;
-- Outrageous bombing of an Iranian civilian airliner with 290 civilian men, women and children on board;
-- Outrageous invasion of Iraq and outrageous bombing of Libya and Syria;
-- Outrageous support of those responsible for 9/11 and every extremist act since;
- Outrageous support of Israeli expansionism in violation even of U.S. Law;
Do I need to continue? Outrageous indeed.
5
The author is incredibly naive. You do not have nice conversations with these people. You do not reason with them. The only thing they understand is military power. Obama made this mistake. I doubt Trump is as naive as Obama.
10
So why hasn't POTUS Trump ordered an Invasion already?
That should make him pretty weak to you, yes?
That should make him pretty weak to you, yes?
2
NVFisherman, re your comment "The only thing they understand is military power. Were you referring to Iran or the U.S.?
I am amazed that so many warmongering comments have been selected as 'NYT Picks'.
I am amazed that so many warmongering comments have been selected as 'NYT Picks'.
2
grr, kill, kill. How has this worked out in Iraq and Afghanistan?
"Where exactly is Mr. Trump going with this?"
We can rule out nuanced diplomacy or even a short-term strategy. Our shoot-from-the-hip president just blurts or tweets out what he is feeling at the moment, depending of course on which Fox News show he happens to be watching.
As if bluster can replace bi-lateral talks; unpredictability replacing understanding.
We can rule out nuanced diplomacy or even a short-term strategy. Our shoot-from-the-hip president just blurts or tweets out what he is feeling at the moment, depending of course on which Fox News show he happens to be watching.
As if bluster can replace bi-lateral talks; unpredictability replacing understanding.
17
The Trump Administration seems determined to get the United States into more wars. The Times is correct, the language being used is akin to the language used in the past to make a case for military action. Just as VP Cheney & Co. stepped on intelligence reports to force the outcome he wanted based on the single unverified source "Curve-Ball". I speculate that the thinking in 2002 was that they would surround Iran with US bases in Iraq & Afghanistan and apply pressure. This, we know, was pure hubris as Iran easily out-maneuvered us through the Suni-Shite fault line.
Escalating fights with Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Russia and China is not likely to have a good outcome; too many fronts opened at once with an inexperienced, bellicose leader at the helm. What could possibly go wrong?
Escalating fights with Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Russia and China is not likely to have a good outcome; too many fronts opened at once with an inexperienced, bellicose leader at the helm. What could possibly go wrong?
10
Does not the "deal", in fact, simply delay (for no more than 10 years since signing) Iran's ability to produce enough fuel to build nuclear bombs (If if in truth they stick to the deal)? So the deal does not stop Iran from indefinitely building nuclear weapons (nor the capability to deliver them). On the other hand,how difficult would it be for Iran to purchase nuclear weapon grade fuel or even nuclear weapons from another country? They certainly acquired the know-how technology that way. By the way, good luck with the Sunni Arab and Shite Muslim countries to co-exist, or for Iran to stop funding Hezbollah, or it other terrorist proxies.
?"
?"
3
The Iran nuclear deal is extremely complex. (Its workings were explained brilliantly on C-SPAN by the official at the State Department who was in charge of the negotiations.) Does anyone seriously believe Trump knows a single thing about the actual contents of the deal?
12
Trump's demonization and bullying of Iran comes as no surprise.
In our rights-based constitutional democracy, checks and balances are in place to "guarantee" that no individual is sovereign and no governmental decision or action is above the rule of law. Our nation's founders were well aware, however, that "parchment barriers" are incapable of withstanding an unprincipled president's assault on republican institutions and ideals.
In addition to the the rule of law, the leaders and citizens of a representative democracy must adhere to what George Washington termed "republican virtues"--virtues grounded in civic and political norms such as respect for lawfulness, respect for the three co-equal and independent branches of the federal government, respect for political opponents and the willingness to give their arguments a fair hearing, performance of the civic duties that attend one's station, respectful regard for public offices and officials, and a fidelity to facts when engaged in policy debates.
The first 100 days of the Trump administration have sustained the "abnormality" characteristic of Trump's campaign. President Trump continues to revel in his disregard for republican norms. What other recent American president has been so disdainful of the judiciary, of the intelligence community, of diplomacy and of international agreements? Has so frequently engaged in lies, misrepresentations and diversions?
In our rights-based constitutional democracy, checks and balances are in place to "guarantee" that no individual is sovereign and no governmental decision or action is above the rule of law. Our nation's founders were well aware, however, that "parchment barriers" are incapable of withstanding an unprincipled president's assault on republican institutions and ideals.
In addition to the the rule of law, the leaders and citizens of a representative democracy must adhere to what George Washington termed "republican virtues"--virtues grounded in civic and political norms such as respect for lawfulness, respect for the three co-equal and independent branches of the federal government, respect for political opponents and the willingness to give their arguments a fair hearing, performance of the civic duties that attend one's station, respectful regard for public offices and officials, and a fidelity to facts when engaged in policy debates.
The first 100 days of the Trump administration have sustained the "abnormality" characteristic of Trump's campaign. President Trump continues to revel in his disregard for republican norms. What other recent American president has been so disdainful of the judiciary, of the intelligence community, of diplomacy and of international agreements? Has so frequently engaged in lies, misrepresentations and diversions?
7
Demonization of Iran? Can you tell us all of the positive attributes of that state?
2
Trust but verify is not asking for trouble. Trump is questioning whether Iran is adhering to the nuclear deal. This is justified considering Syria after assuring us that it had eliminated chemical weapons had actually not really eliminated them but ended up using them on innocent children. I have a feeling Trump administration will ultimately endorse the Ira deal after ensuring that Iran has not been violating the nuclear deal.
3
So he didn't mean it when he said it was "one of the worst deals" he's ever seen?
2
Another thing to point out about the nuclear deal is that even though Trump and the GOP painted it as Iran getting everything and the U.S. getting nothing, it has not played out that way. As Tillerson is forced to admit, Iran at least appears to be in compliance with the deal as written, but what have they gotten for their troubles?
Sanctions between the U.S. and Iran are largely unchanged, which denies it access to an absolutely critical market. A U.S. entity needs waivers for almost any transaction with the country. Perhaps even worse, Iran is locked out of the U.S. financial system. While there are many banks in other countries, it is not as easy to conduct serious international business without involving the U.S. financial system (i.e., wires transfers that pass through ANY part of our electronic infrastructure, our exchanges, etc.) is not as easy as some might think. Adding insult to injury, many international companies and financial institutions are still wary of doing business with Iran even though, in theory, it is legal. Between the extremely complex nature of the sanctions relief and the way Iran tends to obfuscate the identities and differences between permissible/restricted parties, there's just a lot of uncertainty.
So did Iran REALLY get the better of the deal? I guess time will tell, but at least right now, it doesn't appear that way.
Sanctions between the U.S. and Iran are largely unchanged, which denies it access to an absolutely critical market. A U.S. entity needs waivers for almost any transaction with the country. Perhaps even worse, Iran is locked out of the U.S. financial system. While there are many banks in other countries, it is not as easy to conduct serious international business without involving the U.S. financial system (i.e., wires transfers that pass through ANY part of our electronic infrastructure, our exchanges, etc.) is not as easy as some might think. Adding insult to injury, many international companies and financial institutions are still wary of doing business with Iran even though, in theory, it is legal. Between the extremely complex nature of the sanctions relief and the way Iran tends to obfuscate the identities and differences between permissible/restricted parties, there's just a lot of uncertainty.
So did Iran REALLY get the better of the deal? I guess time will tell, but at least right now, it doesn't appear that way.
3
Matt: If what you say is true, perhaps Iran would be willing to stop exporting terrorism through the region in exchange for normalized trade & financial relations with the US.
The choice facing the Trump administration is very stark – it can tear up the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement between the P5+1+EU and Iran, which would free Iran to develop nuclear weapons before the end of Trump’s first term or it can honor the JCPOA and delay Iran’s nuclear ambitions for the next decade or more. Yes, it isn’t the ideal agreement, but it is a realistic one given all of the variables in the equation.
The Trump administration must recognize that we have Sunni allies in the Muslim world that are also covert sponsors of terrorism, but we choose not to notice, as it serves our greater purpose in the Middle East. More significantly, we cannot suppress the Shia ascendancy in the Middle East because we caused it by invading Iraq in 2003 and toppling Saddam Hussein. This is an unintended long-term consequence of a war that the Bush administration never foresaw.
So we are better off with the JCPOA and an Iran that is willing to cooperate with the west than one that is not. Besides we are the only nation in the P5+1+ EU that would cease working with Iran, if we decided to withdraw – new unilateral sanctions would not have any deleterious effect on Iran. Time to get real on Iran – it isn’t as bad as the Trump administration would like us to believe.
The Trump administration must recognize that we have Sunni allies in the Muslim world that are also covert sponsors of terrorism, but we choose not to notice, as it serves our greater purpose in the Middle East. More significantly, we cannot suppress the Shia ascendancy in the Middle East because we caused it by invading Iraq in 2003 and toppling Saddam Hussein. This is an unintended long-term consequence of a war that the Bush administration never foresaw.
So we are better off with the JCPOA and an Iran that is willing to cooperate with the west than one that is not. Besides we are the only nation in the P5+1+ EU that would cease working with Iran, if we decided to withdraw – new unilateral sanctions would not have any deleterious effect on Iran. Time to get real on Iran – it isn’t as bad as the Trump administration would like us to believe.
4
April 24, 2017
We good examination of the Trump Administration's diplomatic mechanics - I would remind all (1) Who's is bullying - that is subject to regional conquest as witness in say the last 25 years; (2) All engaged in reviewing relations with America and the international events a proper study of the complexities is best to visit the journalistic videos of the top leaders narratives for their public relations justifications and swings in how we are where we are from the Nuke deal, to Syria, Iraq, Russia, Turkey, and indeed the American establishment that is recognized and indeed not ever fake news - however difficult to comment of the art of nation's power rhetoric and then the facts of actions that lead to skirmishes in the waters, and in arms trading to awesome to ever define going back to Alexander the Great and today's troubles that is is.....
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
We good examination of the Trump Administration's diplomatic mechanics - I would remind all (1) Who's is bullying - that is subject to regional conquest as witness in say the last 25 years; (2) All engaged in reviewing relations with America and the international events a proper study of the complexities is best to visit the journalistic videos of the top leaders narratives for their public relations justifications and swings in how we are where we are from the Nuke deal, to Syria, Iraq, Russia, Turkey, and indeed the American establishment that is recognized and indeed not ever fake news - however difficult to comment of the art of nation's power rhetoric and then the facts of actions that lead to skirmishes in the waters, and in arms trading to awesome to ever define going back to Alexander the Great and today's troubles that is is.....
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
1
April 24 2017 - correction
With good examination
With good examination
Maybe Iran is not following the spirit of the agreement, but the US is definitely not following the letter of the agreement. Talk about the kettle calling the pot black.
4
Looked at what we know of human psychology, can anyone provide an example of where ALIENATION has produced at GOOD result?
2
Iran ultra-conservatives have majority of power centers in Iran but they are in absolute minority with less than 20 percent of popular base. The change in Iran will happen from inside very soon. The revolution generation leader like Khamenei will die soon and the succession issue will lead to an opportunity for the moderates to take over and change the anti-western major policies.
The US should not play in the hands of the regime by such rhetoric and justify their policies. Interaction with Iran pays out more than antagonizing it.
The US should not play in the hands of the regime by such rhetoric and justify their policies. Interaction with Iran pays out more than antagonizing it.
3
The tensions in the Middle East are driven, to a large degree, by the Shiite-Sunni divide. Trump wants to call the former terrorists, but what about the latter? Aren't ISIS, al Qaeda, and al Nusra all Sunni? Aren't they sponsored and funded by Saudi sheiks? It's difficult to find the good guys in this fight. Trump bombs Assad's old airfield and the Sunnis applaud. Trump bombs ISIS with the MOAB and the Shiites applaud. Can someone please tell me what the desired outcome is here? What makes us think that we can resolve the centuries-old friction between these two religious sects? We certainly don't seem to be making any progress, and the swath of tragedy resulting from our efforts seem only to make matters worse. And now we have a simplistic thinker in the White House who has no clue about the complexities of the issue. What next? I shudder to think.
4
"... there has been an ominous tendency to demonize Iran and misrepresent the threat it presents."
Yes? This has been a staple of American foreign policy since 1979. It has caused us to aid Iran's enemies, to deny its citizens access to the wealth and progress available through trade -- we have done everything in our power to damage and isolate Iran for almost forty years. So, as wacky and unpredictable as Trump is, let's not imagine that this is something he came up with on his own.
Yes? This has been a staple of American foreign policy since 1979. It has caused us to aid Iran's enemies, to deny its citizens access to the wealth and progress available through trade -- we have done everything in our power to damage and isolate Iran for almost forty years. So, as wacky and unpredictable as Trump is, let's not imagine that this is something he came up with on his own.
3
Some commenters seem confused about Iran's role as a state sponsor of terrorism. The Obama administration designated them as such, in no small part because they fund Hamas, Hezbollah, protect al-Qaeda members in Iran, support Bashar Assad'ss murderous regime in Syria (half a million dead so far), and have been implicated in the murders of American servicemen in funding Iraqi insurgents. And that's just the top of the list.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_and_state-sponsored_terrorism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_and_state-sponsored_terrorism
1
" Nikki Haley, pushed the Security Council on Thursday to focus on the “illegal and dangerous behavior” by the “chief culprit” of regional turmoil, Iran, and its ally Hezbollah."
Huh! We've been super kinetic (bombs and missiles) in the Middle East since 9/11 and before. Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Sudan have felt our fury on one side or another. We helped Hussein with his unprovoked attack on Iran. We're helping Saudi Arabia with their devastating bombing campaign in Yemen. For all practical purposes Afghanistan and Iraq are permanent fields of battle for the US military. Can Iran and Hezbollah possibly top this?
As far as I can tell Iran has had nothing to do with all the headline grabbing terrorism incidents since since 9/11. Nearly every week we read about an ISIS inspired or conducted terrorism incident somewhere in the world. ISIS influence and actions are what terrifies us in the Homeland (at least in a media sense). ISIS is not Iran's agent.
Lest we forget, for decades our position has been that taking Iran off the map is always on the table. Quite an incentive for them to build a bomb, the North Korea defense.
Huh! We've been super kinetic (bombs and missiles) in the Middle East since 9/11 and before. Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Sudan have felt our fury on one side or another. We helped Hussein with his unprovoked attack on Iran. We're helping Saudi Arabia with their devastating bombing campaign in Yemen. For all practical purposes Afghanistan and Iraq are permanent fields of battle for the US military. Can Iran and Hezbollah possibly top this?
As far as I can tell Iran has had nothing to do with all the headline grabbing terrorism incidents since since 9/11. Nearly every week we read about an ISIS inspired or conducted terrorism incident somewhere in the world. ISIS influence and actions are what terrifies us in the Homeland (at least in a media sense). ISIS is not Iran's agent.
Lest we forget, for decades our position has been that taking Iran off the map is always on the table. Quite an incentive for them to build a bomb, the North Korea defense.
5
It is hard to take president Trump seriously who is
influenced by Saudi's views on Iran. There are too many
countries including USA destabilizing ME.Even if Iran
stops today ME will not be a stable region. However,
the aggressive military action causing deaths and
destruction in Yemen is coming from Saudis. The
blatant distortion by Mr. Trump and his secretary of
State who prides himself being logical and analytical
with his engineering background doesn't engender
confidence in the conduct of foreign policy.
influenced by Saudi's views on Iran. There are too many
countries including USA destabilizing ME.Even if Iran
stops today ME will not be a stable region. However,
the aggressive military action causing deaths and
destruction in Yemen is coming from Saudis. The
blatant distortion by Mr. Trump and his secretary of
State who prides himself being logical and analytical
with his engineering background doesn't engender
confidence in the conduct of foreign policy.
3
The principal destabilizing force in the region is a nuclear armed Israel, and its stifling of Palestinian national aspirations. In addition, Iran wants to ensure that Syria is not foreclosed as a conduit for its oil and gas exports to Europe. The issue is not Iran acquiring nuclear weapons; it already possesses a significant missile deterrent and the ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's saber-rattling is mere posturing to mollify a demonic Netanyahu, who has never let go of the dangerous fantasy of a pre-emptive strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump may not like the deal with Iran, but it is Israel he needs to be more concerned about.
2
Trump's son in law, and Senior Advisor, Jared Kushner, is the publisher of the NY Observer. The editorial policy of the NY Observer, reflecting Kushner's worldview, has been as long as I remember, that Iran is evil no matter what it does. I suspect Kushner's affinity for Israel has something to do with this. Not because Iran is necessarily as threat to Israel, but because Iran is a competitor to Israel for regional hegemony. Kushner has the president's ears. So now you know.
8
The macro purpose of the Iran nuclear deal was not solely to delay Iranian nuclear capabilities but to provide the US with more strategic ambiguity and the ability to pressure Saudi Arabia in reigning in wahabi Islamic teachings and the resultant terrorism.
It would seems strange that Trump would want to realign with the Saudis given his focus on radical Sunni Islam terrorism. (Iran is Shiite).
For a president that seems to value deal making the Iran deal gives him enormous leverage in the Middle East. He'd be wrong to squander it.
It would seems strange that Trump would want to realign with the Saudis given his focus on radical Sunni Islam terrorism. (Iran is Shiite).
For a president that seems to value deal making the Iran deal gives him enormous leverage in the Middle East. He'd be wrong to squander it.
1
This is a much needed pushback to the administration's exaggerations and lies, and its pandering to its supposed base. North Korea is a totalitarian state; Iran is not. An extremist faction, who unfortunately control a big chunk of the military, has highjacked the country, which has strong moderate and democratic elements. We should try to strengthen those elements, and an important way to do that is to stick with the deal, which benefits and is supportrd by most Iranians. The country cannot afford a nuclear program, and preventing the diversion of resources to that will help the country develop, which will support moderate elements. But one caveat: Don't mess with Iranian sovereignty. The year 1953 looms large in political memory and bumbling attempts to bully the country and punish the people will unite them behind the extremists.
3
Is your statement regarding reasoning with Iran based on any experience America has had with Iran. Is it based on Iran's willingness to forgo ballistic missile testing, Iran's fight against terrorism, Iran's record on human rights?
It is probably based on your best insight which to date has been worse than no in sight at all.
It is probably based on your best insight which to date has been worse than no in sight at all.
2
Frankly, we are the ones reneging on Iran Nuclear Deal. Any country, especially Iran will not tolerate insults and threats from us or any other country. Iran has shown how resilient it is during our embargo and sanctions. Iranians suffered but did not capitulate. The Obama Administration deftly dealt with a country hostile to us from going nuclear. Yes, it may only be a postponement for now but at least there is engagement and time for diplomacy. This unnecessary sabre-rattling will only backfire on us and perhaps Israel. Iran is an old civilization, a country with the majority of the citizenry who are young, affluent and US friendly. We are very culpable in the rising of the hardcore, rigid, Islamist Ayatollahs. We installed a cruel, Dictator, the Shah, a puppet of ours to dismantle a Government which was democratically elected. With all this derogatory name calling and threats for reinstating severe sanctions, we might just be starting a new war in that region. But we have Trump who just wants to deconstruct and destroy our Country. Our credibility is on an all time low. Besides, our ally, Israel will be hurt even more.
1
Donald Trump, the immature, has at his side the mightiest military on the planet.
The immature tendency to use such force has proven futile in Vietnam, in Afghanistan, and in Iraq ..... at the huge cost of life and treasure.
The Iranians, matured for centuries, have beliefs and commitment to defend their culture. From observation, I doubt if they are worried by Mr. Trump.
The immature tendency to use such force has proven futile in Vietnam, in Afghanistan, and in Iraq ..... at the huge cost of life and treasure.
The Iranians, matured for centuries, have beliefs and commitment to defend their culture. From observation, I doubt if they are worried by Mr. Trump.
5
Cut to the chase. Jared sees a Sunni future in the Middle East that is in alignment with Israel. In return for Israel destroying all potential nuclear sites in Iran with Trump's support and weaponry, Saudi Arabia and its underlings will force Palestinians to relocate to some land carved out for them in Arabia. Israel becomes the biblical Greater Israel, Sunni dictatorships blossom and all is right with their world view. Any Shiites in North Korea?
2
President Obama's Iran Nuclear (Peace) Treaty states that after the next ten years Iran can build (and sell) as many nuclear weapons as Iran wants.
Ten years from now Iran will be manufacturing nuclear WMDs and selling them to the various Islamic terror groups that can afford to pay for them in accord with President Obama's Nuclear Treaty with Iran.
Iran, ISIS and the other Islamic groups that do not have intercontinental ballistic missile delivery systems can afford to rent a U-Haul van for a WMD suicide bomber to drive a Nuclear Device purchased from Iran to Times Square in NYC instead.
Ten years from now Iran will be manufacturing nuclear WMDs and selling them to the various Islamic terror groups that can afford to pay for them in accord with President Obama's Nuclear Treaty with Iran.
Iran, ISIS and the other Islamic groups that do not have intercontinental ballistic missile delivery systems can afford to rent a U-Haul van for a WMD suicide bomber to drive a Nuclear Device purchased from Iran to Times Square in NYC instead.
2
"working with the Iranians is a much more logical choice than bullying them." When has Trump ever demonstrated an ability to handle anything without bullying somebody?
3
This is yet another example of an aimless, strategy-less, unfocused bunch of bumblers trying to pretend that they can govern the US. There is no coherent strategy and never was a Trump doctrine. This is all ad-hoc, make-it-up-as-we-go-along planning.
The world is a complex place and it needs complex solutions (or at least approaches). The problem with this is administration is that complexity is beyond their capability of understanding. They look for a simplistic answer without regard for consequences.
The Trump administration, writ large, reminds me of my eight year old grandson who gets in trouble but always blames someone else. Bad enough for a kid. Worse for a presidency.
The world is a complex place and it needs complex solutions (or at least approaches). The problem with this is administration is that complexity is beyond their capability of understanding. They look for a simplistic answer without regard for consequences.
The Trump administration, writ large, reminds me of my eight year old grandson who gets in trouble but always blames someone else. Bad enough for a kid. Worse for a presidency.
3
Iranian theocracy makes everyone uneasy. But the following points will support the solution I offer:
a. Iran is not a failed state despite the intents of the west. We have 40 years of data to show that we can break it, but not fix it. Instead, Iran has established good relations with China and Russia, and has learned to quell popular uprisings from both. The notion that we can do something to produce a democratic Iran is far fetched; they have oil and China and others want to buy.
b. Despite war with Iraq, Saudi attempts to ruin the country with $2 barrel of oil, and sanctions - the Iranian influence has widened, not diminished. We have largely failed to stop their influence across the Middle East. See today's Iraq, Syria, Hizballah, Houthis in Yemen; we are bombing their proxies, not them. Seems like a success from the time we bombed Abadan, and from the time we urged Saddam to take them out.
Pardon me for not trusting diplomats or diplomacy. Talking tough for 40 years has rendered a stronger, not a weaker Iranian theocracy (if not a stronger Iran).
Sam Beckett said: don't destroy your enemies, corrupt them. Iran is already super corrupt, we need to add a dimension or two to their current corruption. We could draw inspiration from our previous masters (Britain) who were rather good at that sort of a thing once. Can we not ship them Facebook, Twitter, Twinkies? We need some out of the box thinking here, not bombs.
Kalidan
a. Iran is not a failed state despite the intents of the west. We have 40 years of data to show that we can break it, but not fix it. Instead, Iran has established good relations with China and Russia, and has learned to quell popular uprisings from both. The notion that we can do something to produce a democratic Iran is far fetched; they have oil and China and others want to buy.
b. Despite war with Iraq, Saudi attempts to ruin the country with $2 barrel of oil, and sanctions - the Iranian influence has widened, not diminished. We have largely failed to stop their influence across the Middle East. See today's Iraq, Syria, Hizballah, Houthis in Yemen; we are bombing their proxies, not them. Seems like a success from the time we bombed Abadan, and from the time we urged Saddam to take them out.
Pardon me for not trusting diplomats or diplomacy. Talking tough for 40 years has rendered a stronger, not a weaker Iranian theocracy (if not a stronger Iran).
Sam Beckett said: don't destroy your enemies, corrupt them. Iran is already super corrupt, we need to add a dimension or two to their current corruption. We could draw inspiration from our previous masters (Britain) who were rather good at that sort of a thing once. Can we not ship them Facebook, Twitter, Twinkies? We need some out of the box thinking here, not bombs.
Kalidan
2
I mean, this guy alienated Canada and Australia. Only nation safe from too much criticism is Russia.
2
The US has killed a million Muslims, toppled the governments of several countries in the Middle East, fostered the use of chemical weapons by Saddam Hussein against Iran, and destroyed several countries beyond repair (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Gaza, Yemen). Is Iran next?
There is only one country that actually benefits from this extensive destruction, and that country is our ally Israel.
There is only one country that actually benefits from this extensive destruction, and that country is our ally Israel.
6
It appears that the Trump administration does not understand the JCPOA. It is a multi-national agreement. The United States cannot unilaterally abrogate it. If somehow the Trump administration decides to willfully violate the terms of the treaty, our European counterparts in the P5+1 will not go along, and the United States will be recklessly endangering the agreement, and also nuclear security in the entire world. This is an entirely foolish course of action.
Added to this, the United States already has and continues to maintain a wall of sanctions against Iran for precisely the reasons outlined by Secretary Tillerson. It is as if he and Trump don't even know that these sanctions exist. Congress and Trump can't seem to get their heads around this fact. Moreover, there is little more they can do to effectively change Iran's political behavior. The Iranians have already written the U.S. off as recalcitrant and unwilling to enter into any further negotiations.
News flash for Tillerson and Trump. Iran's economy is expanding despite what the U.S. has been able to do to frustrate them. Iran has a positive balance of trade with China and India, and is making inroads in places like Africa where they had never had trade relations before. Iran is a modern, thriving nation, and the neoconservative dream of "regime change" there is an utter fantasy.
The most effective strategy with regard to Iran is to restore diplomatic relations so we can actually talk to each other!
Added to this, the United States already has and continues to maintain a wall of sanctions against Iran for precisely the reasons outlined by Secretary Tillerson. It is as if he and Trump don't even know that these sanctions exist. Congress and Trump can't seem to get their heads around this fact. Moreover, there is little more they can do to effectively change Iran's political behavior. The Iranians have already written the U.S. off as recalcitrant and unwilling to enter into any further negotiations.
News flash for Tillerson and Trump. Iran's economy is expanding despite what the U.S. has been able to do to frustrate them. Iran has a positive balance of trade with China and India, and is making inroads in places like Africa where they had never had trade relations before. Iran is a modern, thriving nation, and the neoconservative dream of "regime change" there is an utter fantasy.
The most effective strategy with regard to Iran is to restore diplomatic relations so we can actually talk to each other!
5
"...working with the Iranians is a much more logical choice than bullying them."
We are not dealing with a logic-driven, evidence-based, clear-headed, sensible administration here in Washington. They "love women" and direct policies which harm them. They seek to deny abortion funding in a way which will increase abortions worldwide. They threaten a nuclear nation, the DPRK, by sending "an armada" in the wrong direction. They champion a "best ever" health care bill striking 24 million from the rolls of covered citizens.
Is anyone surprised they are inconsistent in dealing with Iran? If you were the leader of Iran, what would you think? When America was Great (Again), a time Mr. Trump would revisit (1953), our CIA supported the overthrow of their elected leader, Mohammed Mossadegh. So Mr. Trump would offer us more upheaval in the Middle East. Great idea, sir.
We are not dealing with a logic-driven, evidence-based, clear-headed, sensible administration here in Washington. They "love women" and direct policies which harm them. They seek to deny abortion funding in a way which will increase abortions worldwide. They threaten a nuclear nation, the DPRK, by sending "an armada" in the wrong direction. They champion a "best ever" health care bill striking 24 million from the rolls of covered citizens.
Is anyone surprised they are inconsistent in dealing with Iran? If you were the leader of Iran, what would you think? When America was Great (Again), a time Mr. Trump would revisit (1953), our CIA supported the overthrow of their elected leader, Mohammed Mossadegh. So Mr. Trump would offer us more upheaval in the Middle East. Great idea, sir.
51
Your choice of words is unfortunate, and leads the readers to assume that WE are "logic-driven, evidence-based and sensible"....I would guess you would get a different perspective if you asked the living survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. WE DID THOSE THINGS! US, The United States!
1
"We are not dealing with a logic-driven, evidence-based, clear-headed, sensible administration here in Washington"...."
We are not dealing with a logic-driven, evidence-based, clear-headed, sensible administration there in Tehran, either.
It is interesting that Barack Obama, John Kerry, and the Obama administration felt it necessary to lie about the terms of the "nuclear agreement" with the Iranians...
It wasn't much of an agreement, actually, as it was a capitulation.
It's going to be tough for any president to regain the ground that was ceded, and for the stability of the Middle East in particular, and the world in general, it is wise that that ground be recovered.
We are not dealing with a logic-driven, evidence-based, clear-headed, sensible administration there in Tehran, either.
It is interesting that Barack Obama, John Kerry, and the Obama administration felt it necessary to lie about the terms of the "nuclear agreement" with the Iranians...
It wasn't much of an agreement, actually, as it was a capitulation.
It's going to be tough for any president to regain the ground that was ceded, and for the stability of the Middle East in particular, and the world in general, it is wise that that ground be recovered.
1
I'm so glad you brought up 1953 and Mossadegh we are a major cause for where Iran is at politically ! That was such a huge mistake by the Eisenhower administration and the UK .
Perhaps the President of China could find a spare 10 minutes in his schedule to call Trump and explain the Iran nuclear deal to him.
27
Among other things, Trump doesn't understand Chinese.
1
I bet he understands it well enough. It is basically a bribe to sell them stuff while only delaying their desires, now perhaps that is a good deal to many not to some.
Mr Trump is not having much success in his domestic agenda. I am terrified that he is preparing to go to war with Iran. His popularity will go up which is all he is desiring.
It is really scary and sad to have a President who is so uncurious, unintelligent and ignorant. Let's pray that we all get lucky and survive him.
It is really scary and sad to have a President who is so uncurious, unintelligent and ignorant. Let's pray that we all get lucky and survive him.
27
"As with other foreign policy issues, the Trump administration’s approach to Iran has been full of mixed messages."
Not the NY Times. Your message has been singular -- evil Iran. How many hysterical editorials on Iran's nuclear program, something the Times knows squat about, including your egregious use of the word "nukes" in one headline? You really think you played no role in American demonization of Iran? Get real.
"... businessman Siamak Namazi, and his father, Baquer Namazi, two Iranian-Americans who were sentenced to 10 years in prison by Iran on trumped-up spying charges."
How do you know that? Do you know these two men? Their histories? Have you ever heard of the word "spy"? Ever heard of Jonathan Pollard? Were those trumped up charges? (How about the guy that just got 25 years for killing Etan Patz -- talk about trumped-up charges!)
The exact same laziness/agenda that lead to the vilification of Iran in the first place. Russia interfered in our election, Assad used chemical weapons "against his own people" (quickly gaining on "weapons of mass destruction"), and Iran's "trumped-up charges."
If you don't have the proof, don't report it as if you have.
Not the NY Times. Your message has been singular -- evil Iran. How many hysterical editorials on Iran's nuclear program, something the Times knows squat about, including your egregious use of the word "nukes" in one headline? You really think you played no role in American demonization of Iran? Get real.
"... businessman Siamak Namazi, and his father, Baquer Namazi, two Iranian-Americans who were sentenced to 10 years in prison by Iran on trumped-up spying charges."
How do you know that? Do you know these two men? Their histories? Have you ever heard of the word "spy"? Ever heard of Jonathan Pollard? Were those trumped up charges? (How about the guy that just got 25 years for killing Etan Patz -- talk about trumped-up charges!)
The exact same laziness/agenda that lead to the vilification of Iran in the first place. Russia interfered in our election, Assad used chemical weapons "against his own people" (quickly gaining on "weapons of mass destruction"), and Iran's "trumped-up charges."
If you don't have the proof, don't report it as if you have.
8
This seems to be an unwarranted criticism of the New York Times reporting. What do you know of the two Americans who have been arrested? It is not unknown for charges to be trumped-up and there was evidence against Pollard. The snide tone of your comment is enough to make one disregard it.
1
This is an opinion piece, not a news story. Writers are allowed to make assertions in editorials. And by the way, how do you know that the Times hasn't researched this? Are you clairvoyant?
1
Unfortunately, T knows only how to bully, not how to negotiate. All that "deal" stuff was a sham.
17
trumps going to give you 2 wars
generous to a fault, eh, lads
8
The US should let the mad mullahs of Iran know that at the first indication that they have developed a nuclear weapon the US will launch a nuclear first strike that will wipe the non-Kurdish areas of Iran off the face of the Earth forever.
6
The US tried similar in Japan! This is why the world feels the need for nuclear weapons-its the only way to ensure the US will not invade or interfere in their internal politics. Now many countries has Iran invaded in the last 70 year? How many countries has the US invaded in the last 70 years! The US has 800 bases in 70 countries.
1
I understand the sentiment but do not blame the Iranian people. Those to be wiped out are the Mullahs and their leading collaborators. Please see my comment.
There is no evidence anywhere that Iran had, has or will have a nuclear weapons program. This was a manufactured crisis by the Bush administration to justify "regime change" in Iran, and we have had to live with this lie for the past 14 years. It is absurd beyond belief.
1
Trump never has had and never will have a plan for Iran. His only guiding principle is to enrich himself, his family and his cronies at all costs.
14
"Where exactly is Mr. Trump going with this?" That, unfortunately, is easy: anywhere his family has the potential to make more money. Nothing else matters to him. The rest is chest thumping, braggadocio, bombastic "Mine is bigger than yours" petulance worthy of a toddler, but far, far, more dangerous. How many more times must we reiterate the obvious? This ignorant buffoon poses an existential threat to the nation and the world. 4/23, 8:51 AM
16
In the sixties, prior to the downfall of the Shah, I studied at a London Polytechnic with a large contingent of Iranian students. Whereas they were against the Shah, there were neither anti-semitic not anti-Israel. Iran is yet another middle-eastern nation state suffering from the 49:51 split (approximately) between the more affluent, well educated, more secular, city dwellers and the poorer, less educated, strongly religious, rural population. In such a situation the religious fundamentalists if they win power democratically they never relinquish it unlless they are forced out as were the Moslem Brotherhood by Sisi in Egypt. A serious but doomed coup attempt by mostly middle class students in Teheran was savagely thwarted but whose pleas for help and outside intervention went ignored by the the international community in general and by the United States in particular. I disagree with the board's view and hope that "behind the scenes" assistance would ensure a successful coup as soon as possible, thereby fatally severing the umbilical chord to Hezbollah and with their demise restore the Lebanese Moslem-Christian equilibrium and their independent nation state as well a peaceful Israel-Lebanese border. You can never make a deal with the devil without serving and perpetuating his work and existence. Like Amalek the devil must be eliminated.
5
This article assumes Trump cares about the best interest of the US, he doesn't. When his domestic failures mount and his rating gets low enough, he'll seek to distract by stating a confrontation. Netanyahu and Saudies are trying to make it be against Iran through their cronies such as Mercer and Adelson. The Trump whisperer, Mr Kushner might cast a deciding vote.
7
Mr. Tillerson:
“Iran remains a leading state sponsor of terror”
Mr Tillerson, nothing, absolutely nothing, will ever match the terror sponsored by the United States of America. Look at what the US and it's proxies did to the people of Chile, to the people of Brazil, to the people of Guatemala, to the people of El Salvador, to the people of Nicaragua, to the people of South Vietnam.
While Iran has sponsored those fighting injustice, the US has sponsored those fighting on behalf of US corporate wealth.
“Iran remains a leading state sponsor of terror”
Mr Tillerson, nothing, absolutely nothing, will ever match the terror sponsored by the United States of America. Look at what the US and it's proxies did to the people of Chile, to the people of Brazil, to the people of Guatemala, to the people of El Salvador, to the people of Nicaragua, to the people of South Vietnam.
While Iran has sponsored those fighting injustice, the US has sponsored those fighting on behalf of US corporate wealth.
23
I wonder if the people of Yemen dying at the hands of Saudi Arabia using weapons we provided consider the Saudi's "terrorists." One of the principal motivators for terrorism is the expansion of wahabism though Saudi-sponsored schools throughout the Islamic world. Why aren't the Saudis considered to be a state-sponsor of terrorism? It couldn't have to do with oil, could it?
6
With the Suni states on the defensive in Syria and Yemen, we are in no position to threaten Iran. Trump's threats against Iran, like those against Korea are seen to be empty bluster by people all over the world. This reduces our credibility and ultimately our influence. This chaos is all the result of a rank amateur in charge in the White House.
9
Iran is a leading state sponsor of terrorism?
Did Iran provide the seed money for the Taliban? Al Qarda? ISIS? Does Iran fund radical madrassas to liquidate traditional Islam and make West-hating Wahhabism the dominant form of Islam all over the world? Does Iran protect the Afghan Taliban from US forces? Does Iran send teams of suicide bombers into India to butcher hundreds of innocent people? Does Iran use nuclear blackmail to prevent India fro retaliating? Did Iran give safe haven to Osama bin Forgotten for over a decade?
Nope, those states are Saudi Arabia and its client state Pakistan.
The greatest threats to us from Muslim world are Pakistan and the Wahhabi oil states of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf oil monarchies. It's time we face the music and act accordingly.
Did Iran provide the seed money for the Taliban? Al Qarda? ISIS? Does Iran fund radical madrassas to liquidate traditional Islam and make West-hating Wahhabism the dominant form of Islam all over the world? Does Iran protect the Afghan Taliban from US forces? Does Iran send teams of suicide bombers into India to butcher hundreds of innocent people? Does Iran use nuclear blackmail to prevent India fro retaliating? Did Iran give safe haven to Osama bin Forgotten for over a decade?
Nope, those states are Saudi Arabia and its client state Pakistan.
The greatest threats to us from Muslim world are Pakistan and the Wahhabi oil states of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf oil monarchies. It's time we face the music and act accordingly.
47
Well said.
1
It will be an act of extraordinary stupidity to go out of way to pick up trouble with Iran merely because of Saudi view that Iran should be portrayed in the harshest terms possible.
It's is worst kept secret that ISIS draws inspiration from Saudi Arabia. Saudi's believe that ISIS is fighting Iranian Shiite “fire” with Sunni “fire”; that a new Sunni state is taking shape at the very heart of what they regard as a historical Sunni patrimony; and they are drawn by Da’ish’s strict Salafist ideology.
If ever American dream to neutralize medieval evil of ISIS, Iran will be its natural ally.
Iran is not tin pot dictator country. Throughout history, this vast region of Iran has been frequently conquered by various powers, but at the end of the day, the brilliance and power of Iranian identity and civilization has been the final victor in all arenas.
If Trump has any illusion that solution to all his problems lie in Mother of All Bombs, he will be bitterly disappointed to find that Iran is no Afghanistan.
It's is worst kept secret that ISIS draws inspiration from Saudi Arabia. Saudi's believe that ISIS is fighting Iranian Shiite “fire” with Sunni “fire”; that a new Sunni state is taking shape at the very heart of what they regard as a historical Sunni patrimony; and they are drawn by Da’ish’s strict Salafist ideology.
If ever American dream to neutralize medieval evil of ISIS, Iran will be its natural ally.
Iran is not tin pot dictator country. Throughout history, this vast region of Iran has been frequently conquered by various powers, but at the end of the day, the brilliance and power of Iranian identity and civilization has been the final victor in all arenas.
If Trump has any illusion that solution to all his problems lie in Mother of All Bombs, he will be bitterly disappointed to find that Iran is no Afghanistan.
13
A Times editorial urging US cooperation with Iran instead of the dangerous bullying by Trump is an unexpected and welcome sight. Given your ongoing demonization of Russia, the other great putative enemy of the US, I wouldn't have expected it. Thank you.
Yet you still pussyfoot around one of the key issues. The Trump administration's claim, which you cite, that Iran "threaten[s] the United States, the region and the world” is obviously ridiculous. Your apparent puzzlement about "where Trump is going with this" is disingenuous.
The bizarre demonization of Iran that is widely expressed in the corporate media and on both sides of the political aisle has several origins but chief among them is the hatred shared equally by our close regional allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Each is eager for the US to keep Iran down and fears that some day Iran might even replace them as a better ally in Washington's eyes. Each would welcome a US attack on Iran.
They have much less to fear with Trump because unlike Obama whom they loathed, Trump has clearly embraced the Israeli spin. For example, billionaire and ardent Israel supporter Sheldon Adelson declared that the US should nuke an unoccupied area of Iran and then threaten to wipe out Tehran, as the only way to stop their nuclear program. Adelson donated millions to Trump's campaign and then topped it off with a $5M donation to fund Trump's inauguration.
It's pretty clear that Trump shares Adelson's / Israel's views on Iran.
Yet you still pussyfoot around one of the key issues. The Trump administration's claim, which you cite, that Iran "threaten[s] the United States, the region and the world” is obviously ridiculous. Your apparent puzzlement about "where Trump is going with this" is disingenuous.
The bizarre demonization of Iran that is widely expressed in the corporate media and on both sides of the political aisle has several origins but chief among them is the hatred shared equally by our close regional allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Each is eager for the US to keep Iran down and fears that some day Iran might even replace them as a better ally in Washington's eyes. Each would welcome a US attack on Iran.
They have much less to fear with Trump because unlike Obama whom they loathed, Trump has clearly embraced the Israeli spin. For example, billionaire and ardent Israel supporter Sheldon Adelson declared that the US should nuke an unoccupied area of Iran and then threaten to wipe out Tehran, as the only way to stop their nuclear program. Adelson donated millions to Trump's campaign and then topped it off with a $5M donation to fund Trump's inauguration.
It's pretty clear that Trump shares Adelson's / Israel's views on Iran.
12
"... Israel supporter Sheldon Adelson declared that the US should nuke an unoccupied area of Iran and then threaten to wipe out Tehran."
Yes, and none other than Ellie Weisel sat on the stage w him when he said that -- and said nothing.
Yes, and none other than Ellie Weisel sat on the stage w him when he said that -- and said nothing.
Adelson is not all of Israel
Increased sanctions -- and a couple of blockbuster bombs -- might have solved this problem, but President Obama and the Times editorial board were not up to facing the harsh facts of life.
7
Yup, and it worked so well for President Bush in Operation Iraqui Liberation, that we got Civil Wars in Iraq and Syria, we've strengthened Iran's hold over the area, and now the Russians have joined the party. Those blockbuster bombs bring everybody together, don't they?
3
President Obama was able to stand up to AIPAC.
2
The Iran Deal was not an agreement. It was a capitulation and a blatant act of appeasement. It essentially guaranteed Iran will be armed with nuclear weapons in ten years, that is if they don't cheat before then, which they always have. The Iran Deal was nothing more than a traitorous betrayal of Israel. Given Obama's antipathy to Israel, it may have been designed to do precisely that.
The "sequential confusions" are entirely in the minds of the editorial board. The criticisms of Iran and the deal are the same as made by Henry Kissinger and George Shultz who know considerably more about these matters than the NYT.
The idea that after having capitulated, paid huge sums in ransom for captives and appeased the world's leading sponsor of state terror that the administration should keep silent on this issue is ridiculous. Trump's campaign rhetoric, while hyperbolic, was accurate. His response has been more measured in that he understands that he simply cannot renege on a deal made by his predecessor no matter how abysmal.
I would rather have Tillerson and Mattis in charge of containing Iran than Obama and Kerry prostrating themselves before them mumbling "we are not worthy."
The "sequential confusions" are entirely in the minds of the editorial board. The criticisms of Iran and the deal are the same as made by Henry Kissinger and George Shultz who know considerably more about these matters than the NYT.
The idea that after having capitulated, paid huge sums in ransom for captives and appeased the world's leading sponsor of state terror that the administration should keep silent on this issue is ridiculous. Trump's campaign rhetoric, while hyperbolic, was accurate. His response has been more measured in that he understands that he simply cannot renege on a deal made by his predecessor no matter how abysmal.
I would rather have Tillerson and Mattis in charge of containing Iran than Obama and Kerry prostrating themselves before them mumbling "we are not worthy."
6
Because of his incompetence and lack of understanding of international affairs, Trump believes the way to prove he knows what's going on in the world is to huff and puff. Let's hope that Mattis will prevent him from blowing the house down. Trump approaches everything this way -- it's the greatest, the best, the biggest or it's the worst, the most disastrous -- and one just has to hope that someone pulling his strings actually has a grasp on the truth. Trump's bluster on North Korea and Iran are predictable but dangerous. And they prove great cover for any further revelations about Russia or his vast conflicts of interest enriching the Trump brand.
3
I'm more hopeful. President Trump ran on tearing up the deal. It's pretty clear that they don't want to tear up the deal. I suspect the tough talk is for the consumption of Mr. Trumps base and the Israeli prime minister and will have no impact at all.
I suspect in a couple of years we will view Trumps tweets and stupid comments the same way we treat chants of "Death to America" Restful meditations that the world hasn't changed and we can only control what we can control.
I suspect in a couple of years we will view Trumps tweets and stupid comments the same way we treat chants of "Death to America" Restful meditations that the world hasn't changed and we can only control what we can control.
1
We are living in a world where the message is that chaos reigns everywhere. "Bad things" and "bad peopel" are everywhere. The fact of the matter is that traditional definitions of power are being challenged and those who abhor change that would mean they are no longer in charge are itching to push the buttons of their enemies. All of those seeking absolute power, or at least who want to be the rule makers, are currently involved in saber rattling, including the U.S. (remember Pence talking about having "swords" readya), Russia, North Korea, ISIS, Syria, etc, etc, etc. This behavior is typical of domestic abusers who threaten, and then violently react to the slightest perceived slight. Abusers tend to keep their families guessing about their behavior, destabilizing the home, and inflicting psychological damage upon everyone who lives with them. Leaders are no different because they too are people. DT, our illustrious president, and many world leaders right now, are abusers and they blossom in this environment. DT in particular fits the bill. His erratic behavior is exactly that: an abusive posturing to get his way. Anyone trying to analyze him should study the actions of domestic abusers.
8
Does the nuclear deal do anything to prevent Iran from developing the capacity to go from zero enriched uranium to kilograms of HEU in a matter of days?
Not being allowed to keep the product in the interim is not an impediment to that goal for the Iranians. If they build that capacity, then a week after the restrictions on having enriched uranium are lifted they have the bomb. So I repeat, does the deal prevent them from developing the capacity to go from zero enriched uranium to kilograms of HEU in days?
That is a yes or no question.
Not being allowed to keep the product in the interim is not an impediment to that goal for the Iranians. If they build that capacity, then a week after the restrictions on having enriched uranium are lifted they have the bomb. So I repeat, does the deal prevent them from developing the capacity to go from zero enriched uranium to kilograms of HEU in days?
That is a yes or no question.
4
Stop the inaccurate rhetoric. Iran is our enemy and not our friend.
6
Please tell us exactly why you consider Iran the enemy of your country.
Has it ever threatened to attack the USA?
Is it your enemy because it threw US influence out of Iran?
Is it your enemy because Netanyahu says it is?
Is Iran not your ally in fighting ISIS?
Has it ever threatened to attack the USA?
Is it your enemy because it threw US influence out of Iran?
Is it your enemy because Netanyahu says it is?
Is Iran not your ally in fighting ISIS?
1
Even ultra-haws in the U.S. say that Iran has yet to violate the specific terms of the JCOPA --- only that they haven't gone beyond those terms into other areas of US-Iran dispute. I think the Times could do a service by showing whether the U.S. itself is complying with both the letter and spirit of the agreement, not in the default that Iran's government claims.
4
Obama had a pathetic desire to create a "legacy" for himself, this part of which he purchased with a ton (literally) of cash. This "deal" only postpones the inevitable day of reckoning, which seems to have been the guiding principle of Obama's foreign policy.
6
You do know it was their $$s, yes?
I have a suggestion for the Iranians. Invite Trump, who still is involved with his vast real estate empire through his sons, to build a huge hotel and resort in Tehran and he will leave you alone as he did with other Muslim countries where he has business interests.
5
If you don't want stability in the Mideast then you repudiate any deals with Iran, pure and simple. Instability and chaos seem to be the only successful policies in the area, it's about time to realize that is the strategy. Facility a bunch of failed weak states, then balkanize them, and leave them in a position where their only threats are marginal and easily handled. Look at a map of US bases in the Mideast and one will quickly get the impression that Iran is surrounded and they know it.
Iran is not blind to the number of anti-Muslims in the Trump administration...from Jared Kushner to the Mar-a-Lago grounds keepers.
Guess where this is headed.
Guess where this is headed.
4
Americans need to understand the historical facts behind Iran's posture vis a vis the United States. In the 1950's a post-war Iran installed a democratically elected government under the leadership of Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh. His government wanted to nationalize the British and American oil companies that had been essentially running Iran for decades. The CIA instituted a coup d'état and installed a despotic regime under the Shah Pahlavi. His intelligence service, SAVAK, interrogated, tortured and killed many anti-government opponents with U.S support. With the Shah's overthrow by the mullahs the United States did everything in it's power to destabilize the Iranian government, including supporting Saddam Hussain's in his war with Iran in which millions more died. We still consider Iran a terrorist center despite the fact that most of the terrorists who attacked the United State are from Saudi Arabia whose madrassas' continue to pump out more terrorists. Iran has been a middle eastern power for a millennia. There is a significant movement in Iran moving towards liberalism led by young, modern Iranians. They do not want war with the U.S. With continued U.S. threats is it any wonder that they feel the need for the only security that proves effective...that of nuclear weapons. If we stopped threatening to attack we might see more accommodation. Installing "Mad Dog" Mattis as SecDef, along with his 30 year anti-Iranian fixation, hardly instills confidence that will happen.
8
Our words dominate and manipulate our "thinking". To wit "SANCTIONS". In this case there are TWO DIFFERENT SANCTIONS. One associated with the Iran Nuclear Deal we and five other nations agreed to. They are lifted and deserve to be lifted. Then there are other sanctions for general misbehavior which should stay. The Nuclear Deal was not as Trump claims a terrible deal. It was good for everyone and is widely applauded. As to bad behavior there is no nation or group in the the Syria conflict or that region that is not guilty of bad behavior. Those sanctions should remain.
2
This administration has no abiding focus for any of its policies, but that is especially apparent in its approach to foreign affairs. All of the Trump folks--Tillerson, Haley, and Trump himself--are rank rookies. They don't have any experience in running the State Department, representing America at the UN, or in Trump's case, leading what was once the greatest country on the planet. Trump is looking for either an achievement or a distraction that will get the media, Congress, and the American people off his back about Russian influence and collusion in his his campaign and administration. Right now, the distraction--a war, conflict, or terrorist attack--seems the most achievable.
5
If Trump creates trouble with Iran, he will find that he has alienated traditional allies. While he would gain ground with Israel and Saudi Arabia, he will lose much more with Europe and the rest of the world.
6
When are we going to look clearly at many of Iran's actions as just part of the Sunni Shia division? This is not something the secular world can resolve,but it is something we can understand and not make worse by taking sides in a fight we don't have a stake in. Iran is a great country that has wronged us and been wronged by us. Let's give diplomacy a chance and not start with saber rattling. We have enough scary people on our side of the divide to deal with.
5
"many of Iran's actions as just part of the Sunni Shia division? This is not something the secular world can resolve"
Of course the secular world could resolve this problem by completely destroying Shia Iran. Does anyone doubt that if a Muslim Caliphate, rather than the US, had overwhelming nuclear supremacy that they would not use it to demand that all "infidels" immediately convert to Islam or be destroyed?
Of course the secular world could resolve this problem by completely destroying Shia Iran. Does anyone doubt that if a Muslim Caliphate, rather than the US, had overwhelming nuclear supremacy that they would not use it to demand that all "infidels" immediately convert to Islam or be destroyed?
THERE Is Little Doubt That We Are Witnessing "Amateur Hour In The White House"....
AS both James Mattis and Rex Tillerson are "Over-rated & Ill-equipped" and are Parroting the House of Saud and Netanyahu's Narratives on the Middle East.
AS for comparing Iran to North Korea, the only parallel is that the US under Bush-II Administration reneged on Bill Clinton's Deal with Pyongyang and we all know how that turned out.
MY Advice to Trump Administration is to "Tone Down", Consult Iranian American Organizations that have a "Vested Interest" in Improving US-Iran Relations via "Quiet Diplomacy" and Ignore the Saudis and Netanyahu.
OR ELSE North Korea Will Look Like A Walk In The Park Compared To What May Come Of The US Tearing-up OR Sabotaging The JCPOA.
AS both James Mattis and Rex Tillerson are "Over-rated & Ill-equipped" and are Parroting the House of Saud and Netanyahu's Narratives on the Middle East.
AS for comparing Iran to North Korea, the only parallel is that the US under Bush-II Administration reneged on Bill Clinton's Deal with Pyongyang and we all know how that turned out.
MY Advice to Trump Administration is to "Tone Down", Consult Iranian American Organizations that have a "Vested Interest" in Improving US-Iran Relations via "Quiet Diplomacy" and Ignore the Saudis and Netanyahu.
OR ELSE North Korea Will Look Like A Walk In The Park Compared To What May Come Of The US Tearing-up OR Sabotaging The JCPOA.
4
Demonizing Iran only serves the military industrial complex. Working diplomatically to bring Iran into the family of nations interested in stability and justice in the middle east serves the cause of peace.
"Meddling" in the affairs of Syria, Iraq. Lebanon and Yemen, the Times' term, which could certainly be applied to the United States, is a problem that has a long history and can only be solved through reasoned political resolution.
Iran's support of Hezbollah only makes it a "State Supporter of Terror" by definition of the United States. As seen from a Palestinian perspective, the United States support of Israel would appear the same.
Reason and historical perspective will certainly not emerge from the confusing and contradictory statements of the Trump foreign policy team, but it should be in evidence in NY Times editorials.
"Meddling" in the affairs of Syria, Iraq. Lebanon and Yemen, the Times' term, which could certainly be applied to the United States, is a problem that has a long history and can only be solved through reasoned political resolution.
Iran's support of Hezbollah only makes it a "State Supporter of Terror" by definition of the United States. As seen from a Palestinian perspective, the United States support of Israel would appear the same.
Reason and historical perspective will certainly not emerge from the confusing and contradictory statements of the Trump foreign policy team, but it should be in evidence in NY Times editorials.
5
Speaking about ultra-short memories, when crooked lying Trump changes course depending on the weather vane, have you met fish Dory? Likewise...except that Dory has the best of intentions.
1
Iran has every right to defend itself from its enemies. It has every right to develop missiles to deter attacks.
Iran's support of so-called "terrorist" groups pales in comparison to the historical US support of worse groups in Central and South America.
Iran's support of so-called "terrorist" groups pales in comparison to the historical US support of worse groups in Central and South America.
6
So many comments that Trump's Departments, very much including the State Department under Rex Tillerson, are run by amateurs rather than long-term professional government officials. Unfortunately these past 8 years nothing was accomplished in the Middle East, Africa, Russia, China, Turkey, North Korea, and yes Iran. Nothing. Under Obama only pro-environmental and democratic lip service from China and Middle East rulers and some empty promises from Iraq costing the Western World a fortune. Trump obviously is trying a new approach and quite frankly high time. Will he be successful - only time will tell but to continue the same approach as the past eight yeas is, as per Einstein, insane.
3
The Be Nice foreign policy approach of the Obama years did not work. Our allies came to doubt our reliability. Our enemies were emboldened. Cuba was and is a repressive dictatorship, albeit one now enriched with American tourist dollars. The Iranian regime still hates us after we gave them a great nuclear deal and over a hundred billion dollars. This doesn't necessarily suggest we should be belligerent, but it is naive and historically, demonstrably incorrect to imply appeasement is effective.
3
Important and rarely addressed is the fact that Saudi Arabia is the state most responsible for global terrorism by means of promoting Wahhabi extremism the root belief of Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIS. Recently, a number of "former" CIA, NSA agents have misdirected the public actually stating the Iran and ISIS are working together, or that ISIS is an Iranian organization. Evan McMullin insisted that ISIS works for Iran on Bill Maher's show. ISIS is a Sunni Wahhabi group founded in Islamic schools funded by Saudi Arabia that fights against Shia Muslims. That said, why are we so troubled by Iran? Hostage revenge? Nuclear weapons? Maybe Israel inspires neighbors with it's nuclear weapons? Maybe oil magnates and banker allied to Saudi Arabia? Arms deals wit the Saudis? All three entities: oil, banks, and defense are too intimately connected to Saudi Arabia and our own economy. The "endless war" is being fought to preserve defense spending, banking, and hydrocarbon addiction. What threatens our alliance with Saudi Arabia and our manipulation by defense, oil and banking is renewable energy.
A genuine war with Iran would be a catastrophe.
A genuine war with Iran would be a catastrophe.
"A genuine war with Iran would be a catastrophe."
WHY? It has been estimated that a total of twelve to fourteen 750KT W88 nuclear warheads would be more than enough to completely destroy the non-Kurdish areas of Iran. That is the equivalent of two Trident D5 missiles and just one Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine carries 24 of these missiles.
WHY? It has been estimated that a total of twelve to fourteen 750KT W88 nuclear warheads would be more than enough to completely destroy the non-Kurdish areas of Iran. That is the equivalent of two Trident D5 missiles and just one Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine carries 24 of these missiles.
The New York Times has conveniently omitted discussing the ramifications of the sunset clause which will allow Iran to resume pursuing nuclear weapon technology without restrictions. In the meantime, the Iranians are still developing delivery systems as well as financing for promoting international terrorism. There are so many separate agreements made that it is difficult to even ascertain the "benefits"of the Iranian deal other than acknowledging that for President Obama was to "Kick the can down the block" for another administration to have to deal about. Those who argue that perhaps Iran will change it's behavior should be reminded that "wishes" alone do not make for prudent foreign policy. If any lessons from the Holocaust is to be learnt, It is that if someone makes threats to annihilate you, it should be taken seriously, in the age of nuclear weapons.
1
Keeping people confused by disseminating conflicting messages is what Trump claims to be a strategy. What it is in fact is simply a cover for the truth that there is no strategy.
What there is is chaos and one cannot help but wonder when the more experienced members of the Cabinet are going to say enough is enough or even more than enough, and either take over the leadership or refuse to go against their better judgement and principles and resign.
What there is is chaos and one cannot help but wonder when the more experienced members of the Cabinet are going to say enough is enough or even more than enough, and either take over the leadership or refuse to go against their better judgement and principles and resign.
1
The crux of the problem with this bellicose and belligerent administration, is to learn the advantages of intelligent and tactful diplomacy, which of course, is nothing short of impossible without an effective State Department and seasoned people in it. In-laws don't count.
And there's far too much saber-rattling going on around the world to willfully provoke any unnecessary conflict, especially one with Iran, with which this country already has a long and tangled history.
That said, if Mr. Trump's plan is to tamper with the exisitng nuclear treaty we have with that country, then we had all better hope he has more success than he has had thus far with dismantling the Affordable Health Care Act.
The future of this country, and the world depends on it.
And there's far too much saber-rattling going on around the world to willfully provoke any unnecessary conflict, especially one with Iran, with which this country already has a long and tangled history.
That said, if Mr. Trump's plan is to tamper with the exisitng nuclear treaty we have with that country, then we had all better hope he has more success than he has had thus far with dismantling the Affordable Health Care Act.
The future of this country, and the world depends on it.
1
I don't understand how a country, as USA, with so deep and strong religious roots, foundations, believes, cannot understand the religious nature of the Iran. When the American administration is able to talk, to apprehend, with the rigorous Sunni Arabia Saudi, the same administration is not able to do the same with the Shiite Iran, even if Shiite Islam is closer to the christian belief than Sunni Islam : cult of saints, universal presence inside the believer of the last imam. And American administration seem to forget who did trouble in 1953.
1
One has to love the hypocrisy Israel's position on a nuclear Iran. I'll take their fears seriously just as soon as they join the NNPT. As for Iran's destabilizing influence in the Middle East, I believe it was the United States that overthrew governments in Iraq and Libya and is trying to do the same in Syria.
This is a man who has no talent for anything except for promoting his own name. He nearly lost everything in the late 80's and early 90's; this is where is billion dollar+ losses came from. He doesn't have the patience of a 6 year old. One could see that at the Easter egg hunt. He can't focus on even a really important issue for more than a few minutes. How can we expect him to get it right on N. Korea, Iran and the middle east process, all diplomatic conundrums which have defeated far greater brains than his for decades or more.
What is truly frightening is that nearly every high ranking offical in his administration acts like a lackey and Paul Ryan prostrates himself before Trump. How this country will survive Trump's presidency is a question beyond my ability to reason out.
What is truly frightening is that nearly every high ranking offical in his administration acts like a lackey and Paul Ryan prostrates himself before Trump. How this country will survive Trump's presidency is a question beyond my ability to reason out.
2
Iran isn't my enemy.
Considering how badly America has treated it historically, I am surprised they are willing to talk. Iran and the other non-nuclear powers should march out of the NY UN and go to Geneva and start another, without a security council or full membership for those who strut about the world stage with nuclear missiles.
Iran has a legitimate right to self defense. It's enemy, Israel, has 80-200 nuclear weapons of mass destruction aimed straight at them, so the laws of self defense allow Iran to use the same kind of weapons in its defense force.
Now, if America, the world's most powerful holder of nuclear weapons, simply held to past promises and worked to end nuclear proliferation and its own growing arsenal, American policy toward Iran might make sense.
As it is, we are just loud bullies allied with Israel to destroy Iran. We have no moral position, and if we ever decide to go to war with Iran, it will be the greatest disaster since the last Republican Presidential horror show.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
Considering how badly America has treated it historically, I am surprised they are willing to talk. Iran and the other non-nuclear powers should march out of the NY UN and go to Geneva and start another, without a security council or full membership for those who strut about the world stage with nuclear missiles.
Iran has a legitimate right to self defense. It's enemy, Israel, has 80-200 nuclear weapons of mass destruction aimed straight at them, so the laws of self defense allow Iran to use the same kind of weapons in its defense force.
Now, if America, the world's most powerful holder of nuclear weapons, simply held to past promises and worked to end nuclear proliferation and its own growing arsenal, American policy toward Iran might make sense.
As it is, we are just loud bullies allied with Israel to destroy Iran. We have no moral position, and if we ever decide to go to war with Iran, it will be the greatest disaster since the last Republican Presidential horror show.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
2
The rhetoric about Middle East terror is straight from Alice in Wonderland. The two major problems in recent years have been Al Qaeda and ISIS. Both are Sunni extremists, and both are sponsored from or by Saudi Arabia, our big buddies.
5
Trump needs to be educated on exactly what transpired before and during the Iraq war. I seriously doubt that the American people will again be conned into sending their sons and daughters into harms way in the interests of Israel.
4
Well said. I hope it is true that the Israel Lobby will not get its way and a US invasion of Iran will not happen.
1
Appeasement isn’t notably a historically successful approach. Nazi Germany and North Korea serve as poster-nations for teachable historical moments.
From the perspective of critical Western interests, there’s much about which to legitimately “demonize” Iran. And we’ve learned that THEY have a clear appreciation of what they regard as THEIR vital interests, they take whatever is offered, change their ways minimally and demonize US in the bargain. And let’s get history straight – Iran didn’t curb its nuclear appetite for belligerence in return for a lifting of sanctions. They FIRST got the sanctions lifted and merely PROMISED to curb that belligerence – regardless of “most recent” reports. Then proceeded to evolve their rocket delivery-capacity to better threaten the region with what even the Obama administration regarded as a nuclear capacity that was inevitable but merely forestalled.
It will take the West YEARS to re-create the leverage that had Iran so on the ropes that THEY came to US to seek relief, hat in hand. Instead of bearing down, we caved. Imagine their astonishment at getting what they wanted while not giving up anything material that they had any intention of honoring.
Trump’s attempts to sow confusion may be just what is needed to secure more acceptable BEHAVIOR from Iran, forget about promises. And, for heaven’ sake, when you’re going to haggle over rugs with a Persian, leave this serious matter to those who know something about how to haggle.
From the perspective of critical Western interests, there’s much about which to legitimately “demonize” Iran. And we’ve learned that THEY have a clear appreciation of what they regard as THEIR vital interests, they take whatever is offered, change their ways minimally and demonize US in the bargain. And let’s get history straight – Iran didn’t curb its nuclear appetite for belligerence in return for a lifting of sanctions. They FIRST got the sanctions lifted and merely PROMISED to curb that belligerence – regardless of “most recent” reports. Then proceeded to evolve their rocket delivery-capacity to better threaten the region with what even the Obama administration regarded as a nuclear capacity that was inevitable but merely forestalled.
It will take the West YEARS to re-create the leverage that had Iran so on the ropes that THEY came to US to seek relief, hat in hand. Instead of bearing down, we caved. Imagine their astonishment at getting what they wanted while not giving up anything material that they had any intention of honoring.
Trump’s attempts to sow confusion may be just what is needed to secure more acceptable BEHAVIOR from Iran, forget about promises. And, for heaven’ sake, when you’re going to haggle over rugs with a Persian, leave this serious matter to those who know something about how to haggle.
3
Can you name any successful examples of the "Confusion" Doctrine as it pertains to foreign policy?
5
MarkAntney:
We've had so disappointingly few examples of successful foreign policy over the past eight years despite a consistent and perfectly uniform policy of appeasement other than with ISIS, the Taliban and their ilk that we may as well try something completely different in an effort to produce positive results. You want to hondle with rug merchants, sow some confusion. It's not like Iran is Russia and could pose anything LIKE an existential threat to us that would suggest that we tread more carefully with them.
We've had so disappointingly few examples of successful foreign policy over the past eight years despite a consistent and perfectly uniform policy of appeasement other than with ISIS, the Taliban and their ilk that we may as well try something completely different in an effort to produce positive results. You want to hondle with rug merchants, sow some confusion. It's not like Iran is Russia and could pose anything LIKE an existential threat to us that would suggest that we tread more carefully with them.
1
You misunderstand the dynamics of the situation. The new Iranian government came to the United States, not "hat in hand" out of desperation, but as an overture of cooperation. This was in contrast, purposefully, to the previous leadership. By working with the Iranians, we helped this more liberal government step away from the hardliners with proof that the US could be trusted, which is the sentiment we need to foster (and which you can't blame them for being incredulous of, since we did instigate the coup that led to their current regime).
The slow march towards more openness and less hardline stances in Iran is what we need for stability in the region, not machismo. That will only push them back to the right. Revolution doesn't work - lasting change is made slowly, from the ground up.
When will we learn?
The slow march towards more openness and less hardline stances in Iran is what we need for stability in the region, not machismo. That will only push them back to the right. Revolution doesn't work - lasting change is made slowly, from the ground up.
When will we learn?
2
As we approach the 100 day mark of this administration, Trump deserves full credit for his one towering achievement - he has made abundantly clear the competence and statesmanship that was Obama. We already miss him even more than we expected, and the worst is yet to come.
13
The dealmaker seems to have given up "The Art of the Deal" in favor of "The Art of Demonization." Tearing up the Iran deal, when his own State Department has certified Iran's compliance, would simply allow the mullahs to resume nuclear weapons development while outraging other signatories. Diplomacy was never Trump's strong point; stupidity is, and he seems intent on proving to the world that America's word and its signatures on treaties signed by previous presidents means nothing. When will we get rid of this ass?
41
It seems that the current crisis with North Korea is not enough for the Trump Administration and is looking, at this particular time, for a second crisis even though Iran is in compliance with the Nuclear Agreement.
The 60,000 plus voters in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, who decided the last election, have to bear the responsibility for putting the entire planet at risk.
I think that if the current situation ends in a nuclear war there would be many new jobs available, and the Mexican Wall won't be built!
Sad.
The 60,000 plus voters in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, who decided the last election, have to bear the responsibility for putting the entire planet at risk.
I think that if the current situation ends in a nuclear war there would be many new jobs available, and the Mexican Wall won't be built!
Sad.
11
Iran does support some terror. It is not the chief sponsor of terrorism in the region.
That would be the US and allies, supporting the terrorists as a method of regime change in Syria, and using terror methods in Yemen. It is like Afghanistan under Reagan, when the US used terrorism as its method.
The region is destabilized. That is entirely because the US sought to remake it by military force, and failed. Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, all nation building attempts that failed, followed by straight up regime change in Libya and Syria and Yemen that also failed. The region is engulfed in wars, and the US started every one of them, and fed them all.
That would be the US and allies, supporting the terrorists as a method of regime change in Syria, and using terror methods in Yemen. It is like Afghanistan under Reagan, when the US used terrorism as its method.
The region is destabilized. That is entirely because the US sought to remake it by military force, and failed. Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, all nation building attempts that failed, followed by straight up regime change in Libya and Syria and Yemen that also failed. The region is engulfed in wars, and the US started every one of them, and fed them all.
44
"Iran does support some terror."
What does this mean? Where do they support terror? What terror? Or are you just giving yourself an out?
You consider Hezbollah terrorist? I sure don't. Lebanon sure doesn't. The US and EU do? Wow. I wonder why.
What does this mean? Where do they support terror? What terror? Or are you just giving yourself an out?
You consider Hezbollah terrorist? I sure don't. Lebanon sure doesn't. The US and EU do? Wow. I wonder why.
2
Really?
Since the ouster of the Shah, the U.S. has had a tumultuous relationship with Iran for reasons best known to the successive administrations. Compared to Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, there has not been 1 terrorist identified as an Iranian citizen... In fact U.S. has called Iran among few other countries as 'Axis of Evil' while giving great deal of arms and money to the rogue nations in the region most glaringly to, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Yes, Iran has been accused of building a nuclear warhead but then given its geographical boundaries with Israel and Sunni powers (backed by the U.S.), all is fair in self-defence.
The current administration's recent reactions to Iran has been nothing short of comical and shows utter confusion on dealing with Iran.
Yes, Iran has been accused of building a nuclear warhead but then given its geographical boundaries with Israel and Sunni powers (backed by the U.S.), all is fair in self-defence.
The current administration's recent reactions to Iran has been nothing short of comical and shows utter confusion on dealing with Iran.
20
And let's not forget that we established the Shah as a dictator in 1953 after the CIA overthrew the elected Prime Minister, Mossadegh--at the request of Great Britain, which wanted to continue pumping Iranian oil without paying royalties to the Iranians.
2
What does citizenship have to do with sponsoring terror? IS draws its fighters from throughout the world - does that mean they are not terrorists? Iran finances and directs numerous groups engaged in armed combat against US interests. Isn't that enough?
Iran has no boundaries w Israel. They are at least 700 miles apart -- precisely why you never see a map in stories about Iran's nuclear program threatening Israel. Why correct Americans misperceptions?
No matter how loudly Netanyahu bellows, Iran is not our enemy. Normalization of relations with Iran instead of demonization is in the U.S. best interests. Young Iranians will slowly lead their country away from radicalization.
25
We have to remember that the People of Iran support the moderate politicians there. They also want to live in Peace. And we have more than a million Iranians living in the United States that are helping to create a more moderate view of America among ordinary citizens there.
15
Where Iran is concerned, it's wishful thinking to think that we can influence them to seek a peaceful end to the hostilities in the region that benefit us and our allies. Trump would do well to honor the agreements multiple countries made with Iran, but alas, this man knows not the meaning of logical.
5
If our real value was stability, meaning the end of hostilities, we'd have to stop all the things that we started and keep going. We've never valued that meaning of stability. Since Cheney's role, we've valued change by force. Iran is resisting us.
9
Blame a lot or is it all of what is now happening as an extension of Cheney's role.
1
One could argue that the US has been "meddling" in the Middle East for decades... So, accusing Iran of interfering in the internal affairs of such places as the Lebanon and Yemen, without mentioning that many of the Sunni (Wahhabi even) governments in the region only exist because the US supporting the repression of minorities and acquiescing in the curtailing of democracy, women's rights and a free press, is a sin of omission at the very least.
Also, Iran isn't going to go way. Insisting on representing it as an enemy is exceedingly counter-productive. Not only does it virtually guarantee that at some point, driven by its own rhetoric, the US will find itself without options save conflict. It also creates the opportunity for the mullahs to continue their repression and to point at the US as the "enemy at the gates", whose threat justifies any and all measures.
Also, Iran isn't going to go way. Insisting on representing it as an enemy is exceedingly counter-productive. Not only does it virtually guarantee that at some point, driven by its own rhetoric, the US will find itself without options save conflict. It also creates the opportunity for the mullahs to continue their repression and to point at the US as the "enemy at the gates", whose threat justifies any and all measures.
21
"it virtually guarantee that at some point, driven by its own rhetoric, the US will find itself without options save conflict"
It is the same thing we are doing with North Korea. We have a real problem. The way we define it and our options leaves us boxed in. We are not genuinely seeking a way to avoid war, a way to get enough of what we want without war. We are seeking extremist goals, and making war an acceptable option to "get it all."
It is the same thing we are doing with North Korea. We have a real problem. The way we define it and our options leaves us boxed in. We are not genuinely seeking a way to avoid war, a way to get enough of what we want without war. We are seeking extremist goals, and making war an acceptable option to "get it all."
8
Chief US negotiator for the Iraq accord Wendy Sherman put it succinctly on CNN: would the US and other world powers rather have a "state sponsor of terrorist" in the Middle East with a nuclear bomb or a terrorist sponsor without one? All the signatories agreed taking the nuclear weapon option off the table reduced the threat and changed the dynamic as state sponsored terrorism by Iraq is confronted.
Without diplomacy, war would have been necessary to remove the threat. Because Iraq is complying with the terms of the agreement, war is not necessary--although that's seems to be what Trump wants. He fails to realize how lucky he is that his bombastic rhetoric no longer confronts a country with a nuclear threat--having been removed by the diplomacy of his predecessor.
Trump needs to focus on Iraq's state-enabled terrorism rather than a non-existent nuclear threat, in place by an accord Iraq is honoring!
Whythen is he fixed on the accord and not the more important fight against terrorism? (Hint: Obama eliminated the nuclear threat. To destroy its success, Trump is willing to see the threat return! All while doing nothing against terrorism!)
Without diplomacy, war would have been necessary to remove the threat. Because Iraq is complying with the terms of the agreement, war is not necessary--although that's seems to be what Trump wants. He fails to realize how lucky he is that his bombastic rhetoric no longer confronts a country with a nuclear threat--having been removed by the diplomacy of his predecessor.
Trump needs to focus on Iraq's state-enabled terrorism rather than a non-existent nuclear threat, in place by an accord Iraq is honoring!
Whythen is he fixed on the accord and not the more important fight against terrorism? (Hint: Obama eliminated the nuclear threat. To destroy its success, Trump is willing to see the threat return! All while doing nothing against terrorism!)
19
Errata: above, substitute Iran for Iraq. Mea culpa!
13
"Obama eliminated the nuclear threat."
Nonsense. President Obama merely deferred it.
Iran will develop a bomb, once the accord has elapsed.
Nonsense. President Obama merely deferred it.
Iran will develop a bomb, once the accord has elapsed.
The lack of a coherent and unified policy toward the middle east conflicts would be more likely to promote stability than the confused and often ill-informed approach of Mr. Trump.
7
The confused and often ill-informed approach predates Mr. Trump. Obama tried to bring sense to the confusion of Bush/Cheney, but he failed to sort it all out.
He tried. He was right to try. His failure is not on him as much as those among Americans who undermined his efforts, recklessly seeking disorder they hoped they could exploit.
He tried. He was right to try. His failure is not on him as much as those among Americans who undermined his efforts, recklessly seeking disorder they hoped they could exploit.
8
From proclamation of retreating to the borders of America during election campaign to finding the enemies on every continent now, Trump's muddled policy is the biggest threat to world peace, greater than that of North Korea and Iran - both separately and combined.
27
Muddled policy is the nature of democracy, where hundreds and hundreds of competing interests are at play.
I'll take that over brainwashing, starvation, and religious totalitarianism any day.
I'll take that over brainwashing, starvation, and religious totalitarianism any day.
The nuclear accord referenced herein buys time; the imbeciles on the US side who negotiated the accord actually thought that over the life of the agreement, Iran's leadership would somehow metamorphose into a positive, civilized force, among other things through economic integration with the West and the pressures of a vibrant and youthful population. The completion of said metamorphosis would coincide with the termination of the accord.
Sure.
Iran continues to support terror groups even as it abides by the accord. Technically Iran is in compliance. But politically and in practical terms, Iran continues to show that it is a sponsor of terrorism.
Moreover, the nuclear agreement does not / not preclude Iran from becoming a nuclear power. Iran possesses the know how and will one day create a nuclear device. About this is there is little question, as Iran perceives itself vulnerable to its various neighbors and, more importantly, regards itself as a regional superpower.
The only hope for change is a revolution from within Iran itself. The NYT should investigate whether a US ban on immigration from Iran might well provoke such a response, as there are over 1 million Iranians in the US with ties to Iran. Cutting travel to the US from Iran might well cause the Iranian government to change its policies, lest the regime face internal upheaval from its own citizens.
Sure.
Iran continues to support terror groups even as it abides by the accord. Technically Iran is in compliance. But politically and in practical terms, Iran continues to show that it is a sponsor of terrorism.
Moreover, the nuclear agreement does not / not preclude Iran from becoming a nuclear power. Iran possesses the know how and will one day create a nuclear device. About this is there is little question, as Iran perceives itself vulnerable to its various neighbors and, more importantly, regards itself as a regional superpower.
The only hope for change is a revolution from within Iran itself. The NYT should investigate whether a US ban on immigration from Iran might well provoke such a response, as there are over 1 million Iranians in the US with ties to Iran. Cutting travel to the US from Iran might well cause the Iranian government to change its policies, lest the regime face internal upheaval from its own citizens.
4
The imbeciles driving US policy since the accord are wasting the time Obama got them to solve this short of war. Then again, they don't want an outcome short of war, they always wanted war and they still do. That is why they've done so many wars. They are not stopping.
6
I really don't understand the obsession with Iran's supposed support of terrorism. The terrorists that bedevil the U.S. and Europe are overwhelmingly Sunni and are largely funded by citizens of supposed U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. As nearly as I can tell, most of the drum-beating about the dangers of Iran come from supporters of Israel, who would like to see the U.S. solve their security problems.
You seem to think that Iran can somehow be persuaded that Iran can be forced somehow to not be a "regional superpower". Short of blowing up the country, that is a pipe dream.
You seem to think that Iran can somehow be persuaded that Iran can be forced somehow to not be a "regional superpower". Short of blowing up the country, that is a pipe dream.
Strange idea : Iran is the most democratic country in the middle east. It is an Islamic republic, with elections, not perfect if you compare with the European standards, but election. What could you do the same with Arabia Saudi ?
2
"But it did not and probably could not contain Iran’s meddling in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, its support for extremists and its capacity to fan regional tensions."
Maybe, just maybe, we should stop meddling in other countries as well. Perhaps if we hadn't gone into Iraq and made that country into a mess, maybe Iraq, as it was before, would have been a check on Iran.
Instead, we are in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria and periodically attacks countries like Yemen in the continuing "war on terror."
We are in no position to lecture other countries as long as we are doing the same.
With over trillion dollar spent, many lives lost and many countries bombed and destabilized, we are no closer to winning the "war on terror" than we were prior to 9/11. Quite the contrary.
As for nuclear arms, it is hypocritical for the nuclear powers, including the US, to decide which countries can and cannot have nuclear arms.
Global disarmament should be the goal, not selective approval or disapproval of the countries when they try to go nuclear.
Maybe, just maybe, we should stop meddling in other countries as well. Perhaps if we hadn't gone into Iraq and made that country into a mess, maybe Iraq, as it was before, would have been a check on Iran.
Instead, we are in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria and periodically attacks countries like Yemen in the continuing "war on terror."
We are in no position to lecture other countries as long as we are doing the same.
With over trillion dollar spent, many lives lost and many countries bombed and destabilized, we are no closer to winning the "war on terror" than we were prior to 9/11. Quite the contrary.
As for nuclear arms, it is hypocritical for the nuclear powers, including the US, to decide which countries can and cannot have nuclear arms.
Global disarmament should be the goal, not selective approval or disapproval of the countries when they try to go nuclear.
23
I remember how this Iran thing got started. Meddling in Iran and its internal affairs in the 1950s. I was there as member of the U. S. Navy and witnessed the promoting of the Shah by the U. S. Military. All this after promoting the overthrow of a legitimate political leader of Iran.
20
"periodically attacks countries like Yemen"
We are much more deeply involved in events in those other countries than implied in that description. We need first to realize what we are doing to cause our own problems, and then find ways to get out of our own way.
We are much more deeply involved in events in those other countries than implied in that description. We need first to realize what we are doing to cause our own problems, and then find ways to get out of our own way.
3
Dan -- Much that is happening started as blow back from our long support of the evils of the Shah and his SAVAK and his autocratic effort to remake Iran by fiat, not leading but driving and building resistance to his own efforts.
However, we have doubled down on that again and again. What we started we made worse at near every opportunity. We are still doing that.
It is not just that we started badly, we continue badly, on and on.
However, we have doubled down on that again and again. What we started we made worse at near every opportunity. We are still doing that.
It is not just that we started badly, we continue badly, on and on.
2
Not only the conflicting messages, including threats on Iran being sent by the Trump administration reflect the lack of a coherent US policy on Iran and rest of the Middle East but also undermine the terms of a nuclear deal that was negotiated hard by a broadly arrived international consensus and provided for the strict monitoring under the IAEA watch. This is so because the Trump administration in order to retaliate and bully Iran on its support to Syria wants to club many other issues like terrorism too with the nuclear deal, which is nothing but a political blackmailing of Iran. But, Trump administration should remember that neither Iran is its vassal state nor a petty fiefdom which could be kicked around.
11
Iran has four times the population that we kicked around in other places. It has a real economy, and has a geography that is defensible and has been defended for thousands of years.
American discussion tends to lump it in like all the others. It isn't.
American discussion tends to lump it in like all the others. It isn't.
4
So let's explore Trump logic; after seeing pictures of Syrian children hit by Assad's poison gas he launches Tomahawk missiles because of the horror of poison gas. Then after hearing that Iran is living up to putting a halt to its nuclear weapons program, the most fearsome and destructive weapons on our planet, he finds the need to become extremely provocative with them. This deal was never set up to go outside the parameters of their nuclear program. So why is Trump making this noise? Is he once again trying to satisfy his core supporters, the yokels that live in the rural areas across our country. The picture of Sarah Palin and her pals paying an extended visit to the White House last week and standing next to a portrait of Hillary kind of says it all. One must constantly feed the animals to keep them on your side.
31
" a leading state sponsor of terror" is anyone Israel doesn't like, apart from that Trump's position is directly proportional to Sheldon Adelson's campaign contributions
71
I'd cite Iran's supplying Hezbollah with missiles is reason enough to label it as a state terrorism sponsor.
1
It doesn`t hurt (policy wise) that Kushner is a life long friend of the killer Netanyahu.
1
"president" trump is the anti Obama, whatever President Obama liked he hates, whatever President Obama hated, he likes. Just put yourself in Iran's shoes. We think they are meddling where they do not belong and they feel the very same about us, and I might add, so does North Korea. Maybe they both are right.
31
I think we belong but we are our own worst enemy in how we do it.
We are world embracing, and have been since WW2. Good or bad, it just is and must be given our economy and power.
We have been making mistakes, one after another, making our own problems and making them worse. This does not make us unique among nations in history, but it is still unrecognized and so running untreated like a madness.
We are world embracing, and have been since WW2. Good or bad, it just is and must be given our economy and power.
We have been making mistakes, one after another, making our own problems and making them worse. This does not make us unique among nations in history, but it is still unrecognized and so running untreated like a madness.
2
If you have been reading the NYT you will know that President Obama "meddled" in both Iran (Stuxnet) and North Korea (cyber attacks against missile launches). I am no fan of Mr. Trump, but he would be irresponsible indeed were he to deviate from the policies of his predecessor.
As for putting myself in Iran's shoes, no thanks.
As for putting myself in Iran's shoes, no thanks.
Mandatory time for TIMES readers. Go to Wikipedia and check Iran/U.S. relations and the history of Iran.. A classic case of understanding
the past to understanding the present and the future. I am sure Donald
Trump never researched Iran.The people of Iran who ranted "Death to
America" and "Death to Israel" are silent now, but many of the Ayatollahs who grew up during the days of the Tehran embassy takeover are now in
charge.Trump has to listen to Mattis before Twittering on. Again, does Trump
have a strategy?
the past to understanding the present and the future. I am sure Donald
Trump never researched Iran.The people of Iran who ranted "Death to
America" and "Death to Israel" are silent now, but many of the Ayatollahs who grew up during the days of the Tehran embassy takeover are now in
charge.Trump has to listen to Mattis before Twittering on. Again, does Trump
have a strategy?
5
The ayatollahs in charge of Iran today were active well before the US embassy takeover. They are nihilists -- their insanity has nothing to do with the US.
Silent on death to America? Don't think so .Either Obamas naive,or the truth is ,our govt was breached by Iranian operatives and sympathizers with Valerie Jarrett at the helm, and pawn John Kerry
There's maybe some truth to this. It might behoove the NYT and Dem leadership to consider it for themselves. Continuing to demonized anyone with a different opinion is also not a path to progress. Both parties operate in the same disingenuous manner, reducing what should be an honest debate or warring talking points. Anyone who thinks Rep Pelosi or Sen Schumer are different is fooling themselves. Instead of talking about resistance, maybe try working together.
4
Not everyone is "raised" to acquiesce to Bullies.
They have a well documented history of indiscriminately stabbing people in the back,...
Including their (very) Naive and Unsuspecting enablers.
They have a well documented history of indiscriminately stabbing people in the back,...
Including their (very) Naive and Unsuspecting enablers.
More Trump craziness and incompetence. This is the predictable outcome of his desire to be unpredictable.
12
The confusing rhetoric of the Trump administration reflects a clear lack of foreign policy towards Iran. The "great negotiator's" policy seems to be that, if Obama accomplished it, let's tear it up. Doing so would please his base, but it would also be an incredibly inept move which would demonstrate, that, while Iran is holding up their part of the bargain, the United States cannot be counted upon to hold up theirs. It leaves our word in tatters. Can NATO really count on us to continue our alliance with them? Can the EU really rely on our support?
Not only does truthfulness pose a challenge for this administration, but so does diplomacy. Trump knows more about saber-rattling and bullying than making foreign policy that does not involve bombs and aircraft carriers. It is true that Iran does tend to fan the flames of terrorism, but we cannot solve all problems at once. The nuclear deal, and their adherence to it, is nothing to sneeze at. It shows that they are open to diplomacy and cooperation. And perhaps it is our best hope that this administration will eventually learn that words can be more powerful than the sword.
Not only does truthfulness pose a challenge for this administration, but so does diplomacy. Trump knows more about saber-rattling and bullying than making foreign policy that does not involve bombs and aircraft carriers. It is true that Iran does tend to fan the flames of terrorism, but we cannot solve all problems at once. The nuclear deal, and their adherence to it, is nothing to sneeze at. It shows that they are open to diplomacy and cooperation. And perhaps it is our best hope that this administration will eventually learn that words can be more powerful than the sword.
15
Melissa: Trump knows more about saber-rattling and bullying than making foreign policy that does not involve bombs and aircraft carriers.
What makes you think he knows anything outside making more or less fraudulent real-estate deals? The Donald acts more and more like a kindergarten bully trying out toys he finds within reach. Watch out for the tantrum coming and hope there is an adult keeping the black box away from him.
What makes you think he knows anything outside making more or less fraudulent real-estate deals? The Donald acts more and more like a kindergarten bully trying out toys he finds within reach. Watch out for the tantrum coming and hope there is an adult keeping the black box away from him.
We catch more wasps with honey than with vinegar. But Trump's success is based on lavish gushes of vinegar.
13
You're correct -- except that the Iranians take our honey, turn it into vinegar, and spit it in our faces.
Just my semi ignorant observation of 2017 Persia:
I suppose Iran is considered relatively regressive if not totalitarian, and its non urban people are apparently politically prevailing.
The Iranians, however, apparently do not/can't shutoff their nation entirely from "decadent" liberalism aka Western culture.
Philosophy apparently is not formally taught, and engineering curriculum flourishes--how terrific is that.
So what's so bad about that, except everything.
I assume fear of arbitrary imprisonment and seemingly a kangaroo legal system is normative.
Who could stand such reality.
So long as the more enlightened civilizations including Europe and the USA attract their ex-patriate gifted professionals, the backwardness of Iranian is the status quo puritanical plight.
If one visits from the west, being arbitrarily imprisoned can't be too surprising.
I suppose Iran is considered relatively regressive if not totalitarian, and its non urban people are apparently politically prevailing.
The Iranians, however, apparently do not/can't shutoff their nation entirely from "decadent" liberalism aka Western culture.
Philosophy apparently is not formally taught, and engineering curriculum flourishes--how terrific is that.
So what's so bad about that, except everything.
I assume fear of arbitrary imprisonment and seemingly a kangaroo legal system is normative.
Who could stand such reality.
So long as the more enlightened civilizations including Europe and the USA attract their ex-patriate gifted professionals, the backwardness of Iranian is the status quo puritanical plight.
If one visits from the west, being arbitrarily imprisoned can't be too surprising.
3
There is so much ignorance of and so little knowledge of Iran by American citizens. Yes, the religious mullahs rule the country with the Revolutionary Guards and the basji, but they do not rule the minds of an intelligent, well educated population that does study philosophy.
Yes, there are the religious, conservative people in the country villages who vote for the radical right (sound familiar?), but off the street and out of their hijabs, you will find young people who sing and dance, use internet media, play baseball, and really do like America. This majority population was born after 1979, and yearn for more freedom.
Please don't judge the people through our propaganda eyes. These are Iranians who will stop a foreigner on the street, smile, and ask where you are from. Then they say, "welcome, thank you for coming."
I know because, since 2008, I have spent approximately 5 weeks throughout Iran and encountered nothing but welcome and friendliness, even several saying "I love America."
It is not the people, it is their government making decisions, as we have here.
Yes, there are the religious, conservative people in the country villages who vote for the radical right (sound familiar?), but off the street and out of their hijabs, you will find young people who sing and dance, use internet media, play baseball, and really do like America. This majority population was born after 1979, and yearn for more freedom.
Please don't judge the people through our propaganda eyes. These are Iranians who will stop a foreigner on the street, smile, and ask where you are from. Then they say, "welcome, thank you for coming."
I know because, since 2008, I have spent approximately 5 weeks throughout Iran and encountered nothing but welcome and friendliness, even several saying "I love America."
It is not the people, it is their government making decisions, as we have here.
2
Major triumph for IRAN !! Ayatollahs want to destroy US & Israel. Assanated the argentianianvprosecutor who had concrete evidence of Iran/Hizbullah blowing up Jewish center. Iran has killed us troops in Iraq. When they get their gift of nuclear bomb, world balance changes. The big loser will be Israel... Obama objective.....
6
If they did that in 1994, a lot has happened since then. Events have moved on. It has not only been Iran.
2
And USA commit a coup d'état in 1953 against the Iran democracy.
2
The Wahabi/Salafis sponsored by the so-called US friends Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states are killing Americans in Afghanistan, Iraq and else where. Please ask yourself what was America's business invading Iraq? To topple Saddam and destabilized the whole region or was it for Oil?
"The deal, one of the Obama administration’s major triumphs" which gave Iran tons of cash to support terrorism.
6
What funds did they Give them exactly,..was it their $$?
20
The tons of cash was Iran's money which had been held during sanctions.
20
The deal did not "give" anything to Iran. It released Iran's money which the US had frozen. I wonder how we would feel if Iran could freeze US money elsewhere in the world. The Iranian people have reason not to trust the US; we helped overthrow its democratic government and install a brutal dictator, the Shah of Iran. And yes, the current Iranian government is hostile to the US, and does some bad stuff, but Iran is not a threat to the US.
4
Okay, I think I have this straight. Trump blusters, sometimes with corroboration from his cabinet and other times with countervailing facts, that Iran is not complying with the "spirit" of the deal. And in response to that mistaken point of view, is the suggestion that the United States should renege - complying with neither the spirit nor the letter of the deal.
Is this how he ran his business deals before he ran for office? Oh that's right; it is.
May God help us and may the rest of the world find the patience to keep us all safe. 1365 days to go.
Is this how he ran his business deals before he ran for office? Oh that's right; it is.
May God help us and may the rest of the world find the patience to keep us all safe. 1365 days to go.
65
Just one question: How did Iran, Israel, India, Pakistan, North Korea got access to nuclear technology?
Can anyone provide any clear information on that?
Can anyone provide any clear information on that?
1
Israel got it via the CIA. Pakistan, A.Q. Khan. N Korea, probably from Pakistan. India???
11
Iran got nuclear training by the US. President Eisenhower initiated "Atoms for Peace" and brought Iranian scientists to the US, followed by helping to set up their research.
1
dEs,
you forgot Clinton and the US giving NK the nuclear data.
you forgot Clinton and the US giving NK the nuclear data.
TRUMP Is nobody to lecture anyone about keeping to the law nor the spirit of any agreement, as he is notorious for reneging on legal contracts negotiated with employees, consultants, construction workers and students, such as those at Trump "University" whom he bought off at the cost of $25 million to end a civil suit. Only after ridiculing the ethnic background of the judge in the case. Trump is, paradoxically, a paragon of vice. Tillerson's letter where he comments that Iran is one of the major exporters of terrorism in the world may have an ambiguous effect, as at some level, there are those in Iran who take their role in fomenting terror worldwide as a point of pride. Whatever the case, it's not a good idea to rattle the lion's cage. When riding the tiger, you have to hold tight to the tail.
16
Iran is also a complex country. There are many Iranians who were educated in the west, including the USA, who have moderate views and would like better relations with the US. Unlike Afghanistan which has long been a backwater with a largely uneducated population, Iran has an educated and sophisticated segment to its population.
The segment of our government which believes we can oppress Iran into being a docile, compliant country is dead wrong. Instead, we should work to support the Iranians who are not extremists, who want more openness, and are not hostile to the US & its allies.
The segment of our government which believes we can oppress Iran into being a docile, compliant country is dead wrong. Instead, we should work to support the Iranians who are not extremists, who want more openness, and are not hostile to the US & its allies.
149
@ Anne-Marie Hislop - Yes A-M here in Linköping I have gotten to know many Iranians and some of my colleagues at Red Cross Träna svenska - Practice talking Swedish are Iranians. It became clear long ago that of the various groups who come to Sweden, the Iranians as a group are the best educated, and this is notably true for the women. Somebody new comes to the Red Cross and I ask her about her background - Oh I am a doctor and...
You probably know that the original Ayatollah declared that it was important for women to be educated and at present more than half the students at universities are female. Not true of our ally, Saudi Arabia.
Larry L.
You probably know that the original Ayatollah declared that it was important for women to be educated and at present more than half the students at universities are female. Not true of our ally, Saudi Arabia.
Larry L.
16
We have worked with so-called "moderates" and they have been assassinated or imprisoned.
What's your next suggestion?
What's your next suggestion?
@ Frank Haydn Esq - Frank your reply to Anne-Marie Hislop is a bit cryptic.
Who are "We in your first sentence.
Who are the "so-called moderates"?
What is the documentation for each individual that he or she has been assassinated or imprisoned?
What do you want her to make a suggestion about.
She makes very clear that we should be working with Iran just as we work with Saudi Arabia. The benefits of doing so are shown clearly by the 5 country + 1 agreement with Iran.
If comments close you can send to my Gmail see blog.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
Who are "We in your first sentence.
Who are the "so-called moderates"?
What is the documentation for each individual that he or she has been assassinated or imprisoned?
What do you want her to make a suggestion about.
She makes very clear that we should be working with Iran just as we work with Saudi Arabia. The benefits of doing so are shown clearly by the 5 country + 1 agreement with Iran.
If comments close you can send to my Gmail see blog.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
Donald Trump told us he would pay such taxes as are required by law. He told us he does not need to heed conflict of interest provisions because he is not required to do so by law. In other words he obeys the letter of the law, not necessarily its spirit. Yet now he questions Iran for not living up to the "spirit" of agreements, something he himself rejects as an acceptable test of performance. So when it is in President Trump's interest to insist conformance with the letter of the law is sufficient he uses that as the appropriate test. When he wants a different outcome then some nebulous "spirit" comes into play. Obviously this is not the only instance in which self-serving inconsistency comes into play but it underscores the extent to which any effort to search for a broad policy logic as driving his priorities may her doomed to failure. Beyond wanting "wins" he can brag about Mr. Trump seems to have no consistent orientation. This helps to explain the orientation of his Cabinet, i.e., he was sold individuals on the grounds they would guarantee him accolades from his base, aka his fan club. The real architects of the Cabinet appear to be Steve Bannon and Mike Pence as there is far more ideological consistency than one might expect from Mr. Trump. in short, Americans should not expect policy consistency from Trump, only an unending search for victories bringing personal gratification or rewards. Tough on Americans, very complicated for foreign leaders or adversaries.
12
" in short, Americans should not expect policy consistency from Trump, "
His Iran policy is determined by the Israel Lobby. As with Iraq It was Wolfowitz who set up the Office Of Special Plans in the Pentagon & staffed it with Feith , Perle, Edelman , Wurmser & 18 other AIPACers who generated the lies used to rev-up US public support to pre-emptively invade Iraq. (In previous gov`t security jobs both Feith & Perle were charged with passing US secrets to Israel.)
In 2003, NYT`s journalist Thom Friedman counted 25 members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations saying, “if you had exiled them to a desert island a year and half ago, the Iraq war would not have happened”.
Only Israel has benefited from the Iraq invasion. Ie It ended Iraq`s support for some measure of justice for the indigenous people of Palestine. Now these same people are pushing the US to do the same to Iran.
His Iran policy is determined by the Israel Lobby. As with Iraq It was Wolfowitz who set up the Office Of Special Plans in the Pentagon & staffed it with Feith , Perle, Edelman , Wurmser & 18 other AIPACers who generated the lies used to rev-up US public support to pre-emptively invade Iraq. (In previous gov`t security jobs both Feith & Perle were charged with passing US secrets to Israel.)
In 2003, NYT`s journalist Thom Friedman counted 25 members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations saying, “if you had exiled them to a desert island a year and half ago, the Iraq war would not have happened”.
Only Israel has benefited from the Iraq invasion. Ie It ended Iraq`s support for some measure of justice for the indigenous people of Palestine. Now these same people are pushing the US to do the same to Iran.
1
Very good article. The problem with Trump is that he wants contrary policies and allies. Fighting ISIS cannot exist while being allied with its sponsors like Saudi Arabia and Turkey and while fighting its enemies like Iran and the Syrian government. He has to chose. What does he want? The same question is to be asked of all the former American administrations: who created Al Qaeda? your ally, Saudi Arabia. Who used it ? The United Staes against The Soviets and then against Saddam, the US former agent used against Iran and then attacked. Shall I go on? Who understands the US policies since 1973 when Henry Kissinger called Hafez el Assad the Bismarck of the Middle East, because he wanted to use him in the destruction of the Lebanese democracy? This, I understood when I came to Washington DC in 1975 as Assistant Lebanese Armed Forces Attache and heard all Americans call us "the bad privileged Christians who want to expel the poor Palestinians and where would they go?" Nobody wanted to expel them and the justice is that they return to their homes in Palestine from where they were expelled by the Israeli who stole their lands and country.
15
The billions of dollars that were supposed to be invested in Iran after the nuclear deal have turned out to be almost nonexistent, first of all because international investments groups and banks are under constant risk that if they do business with Iran, they could be shout out from the U.S. banking system. In addition, there’s great worry in Teheran about the Trump administration halting the 3-5$ billion dollar sell of Boeing planes. On this background, and with Iran being constantly portrayed by the Trump administration as a terror octopus spreading its poisonous tentacles all over the ME and beyond, there’s a good chance that comes May, President Rouhani will lose the election to the hard-liners in Teheran.
If so, this will be the opportunity President Trump is looking for in order to execute Netanyahu’s doctrine of permanent war on Iran. And even if Rouhani wins the coming election, the pro-agreement camp in Teheran is already much weakened and disheartened. President Obama concluded the nuclear agreement too late and bowing to political expediency framed it as to be too dependent on Congress caprices. It’s quite likely Boeing will have to look for profits, and its’ employees for jobs, in manufacturing warplanes and not commercial planes.
If so, this will be the opportunity President Trump is looking for in order to execute Netanyahu’s doctrine of permanent war on Iran. And even if Rouhani wins the coming election, the pro-agreement camp in Teheran is already much weakened and disheartened. President Obama concluded the nuclear agreement too late and bowing to political expediency framed it as to be too dependent on Congress caprices. It’s quite likely Boeing will have to look for profits, and its’ employees for jobs, in manufacturing warplanes and not commercial planes.
9
The Iran nuclear deal is an international agreement to limit the nuclear capabilities of Iran. The US is but one partner in this process.
We know Iran has been following their part of the agreement, yet Trump says they are not following the spirit of the agreement. Perhaps Trump should let people who know what is going on in Iran speak, rather than his tired old stirring up trouble, when none presently exists.
Trump cannot handle diplomacy. The nuanced, intelligent, informed, reasoned responses of thoughtful diplomacy, are wasted on Trump.
Why pick on a successful agreement, unless you secretly want it to fail?
We know Iran has been following their part of the agreement, yet Trump says they are not following the spirit of the agreement. Perhaps Trump should let people who know what is going on in Iran speak, rather than his tired old stirring up trouble, when none presently exists.
Trump cannot handle diplomacy. The nuanced, intelligent, informed, reasoned responses of thoughtful diplomacy, are wasted on Trump.
Why pick on a successful agreement, unless you secretly want it to fail?
48
Can't you see Obamas doctrine ? Weaken America by kowtowing to absurd international deals ,How's Syrian /Russia Chen deal working? .Under obama ,we have been breeches by Iran,Muslim Brothers (allies of Hitler) etc. Oh, don't forget to "tell Vladimir" I can do more when re -elected! ' !
Before becoming president, Trump lived in a world where things could be measured as either wins or failures....if he got the deal, it was a win; if he didn't, it was a failure (tho I doubt he would admit to many of those). In the real world, we really can't tell other countries what to do. To "win", we can have diplomacy, a condition that needs to be able to accept that while we might not get the whole enchilada, if we get the main ingredients, we have a win. Sometimes a half loaf is better than no loaf at all, and maybe we can get more later. If Trump's views on Iran had a real plan that could advance or improve upon the deal that Obama, Clinton and Kerry worked out, I would say go for it. But his motivation is based not on what is possible and what the repercussions would be, but rather that he could take down Obama's creation, and add to his "achievements list" at his rallies, thumping his chest some more with a gorilla war cry to get the adulation he thrives upon at his rallies. The problem is that his actions could undo the relative stability of the original deal and advance us all toward more wars -- losing both our human and financial capital. If only we could anticipate that this bull in a china shop would not break the porcelain -- but that is only a dream.
9
Who are all responsible for vast majority of international terror incidents? Sunni Muslims! Not the Shiite making up Iran. Approximately 98% of all Muslim Terror actions in Western Countries are Sunni Muslim, not Iranian Shiite affiliated.
Terror attacks into Israel are generally ISIS & Sunni stemming from Syria & Lebanon.
Shiite Iran does possess a strong hatred of Israel,however, the vast majority of shootings, terror raids & wars into Israel are Sunni! These are the same terror as here in USA and in Europe (Sunni)!
The latest mass killings by Sunnis are the Turks under Erdogan who is now attacking and destroying the Kurds invading into Kurdistan! Where is our press?
Terror attacks into Israel are generally ISIS & Sunni stemming from Syria & Lebanon.
Shiite Iran does possess a strong hatred of Israel,however, the vast majority of shootings, terror raids & wars into Israel are Sunni! These are the same terror as here in USA and in Europe (Sunni)!
The latest mass killings by Sunnis are the Turks under Erdogan who is now attacking and destroying the Kurds invading into Kurdistan! Where is our press?
26
The Obama "deal" with the Islamo-Nazi hierarchy in Iran must be scrapped. No more illicit pallets of cash for these guys.
And the days of buzzing our crafts, and detaining our sailors who cry on cue are over.
And the days of buzzing our crafts, and detaining our sailors who cry on cue are over.
5
The illicit pallets of cash would be their money, the US has kept from them for decades. Don't let facts get in the way of your viewpoint.
This is an international agreement, not simply an Obama deal. Perhaps you should look up what happened to Iran Air Flight 655 in July 1988, when aggressive US policy towards Iran, saw 290 innocent passengers killed by an over zealous US operation.
This is an international agreement, not simply an Obama deal. Perhaps you should look up what happened to Iran Air Flight 655 in July 1988, when aggressive US policy towards Iran, saw 290 innocent passengers killed by an over zealous US operation.
111
So Hitler's National Socialists are alive and well in Iran?
9
Wrong. that cash was for shah ,not ayatollahs!
6
There are a lot of nations out there enacting policy we don't like. There are a lot of troublemakers, interfering where they don't belong. There are a lot of nations whose interests don't run parallel to our own.
Iran is one such nation. But we really cannot make it go away. We cannot force it to accede too our interests. We cannot make the split between Shiite and Sunni go away.
But we can try to neutralize anger, step back and let them create the economy they seek, support co-exisitence as a tentative truce, even if it annoys our Saudi and Israeli allies. We can try to draw them into the world and try to find diplomatic solutions.
We can't bomb everyone. It is not just cripplingly expensive, it doesn't work. And we have to use sanctions as a carrot and stick - we cannot use a siege to force them into submission.
So, yes, the Administration has to walk a fine line. I am not sure Tillerson is that nimble and i am certain the White House isn't.
Iran is one such nation. But we really cannot make it go away. We cannot force it to accede too our interests. We cannot make the split between Shiite and Sunni go away.
But we can try to neutralize anger, step back and let them create the economy they seek, support co-exisitence as a tentative truce, even if it annoys our Saudi and Israeli allies. We can try to draw them into the world and try to find diplomatic solutions.
We can't bomb everyone. It is not just cripplingly expensive, it doesn't work. And we have to use sanctions as a carrot and stick - we cannot use a siege to force them into submission.
So, yes, the Administration has to walk a fine line. I am not sure Tillerson is that nimble and i am certain the White House isn't.
50
Sounds like this has been written inside the confines of Iran.
Pure nonsense. Iran is clearly as big a threat as its other trouble making brother, N. Korea.
This country should be the next target once the US carrier fleet gets finished reducing NK to rubble.
Pure nonsense. Iran is clearly as big a threat as its other trouble making brother, N. Korea.
This country should be the next target once the US carrier fleet gets finished reducing NK to rubble.
6
It takes a great deal of cognitive dissonance to demonize Iran, a country which has not threatened the U.S. nor shown any inclination to initiate aggression, as a threat to stability, and then advocate launching a war of aggression against that country after "reducing NK to rubble." Iran is complying with the terms of the treaty, and yet the U.S. cannot resist beating war drums and threatening to attack them anyway.
We are currently bombing no less than eight countries (could be more, since it's so difficult to keep track), and yet label other countries as threats to world stability. The country the rest of the world sees as the largest threat to world peace is, by a large margin, the United States.
We are currently bombing no less than eight countries (could be more, since it's so difficult to keep track), and yet label other countries as threats to world stability. The country the rest of the world sees as the largest threat to world peace is, by a large margin, the United States.
87
you mean the "armada"?
9
One need only read the open source literature to know that Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism and aims to weaken and harm US allies throughout the region. Not shown any inclination to initiate aggression? That's a good one. Have you ever heard of covert action?
1
Support of the nuclear accord requires the ability simultaneously to maintain two attitudes toward Iran. With respect to nuclear weapons, you have to regard the regime as a negotiating partner, who has agreed to delay the development of a bomb in exchange for certain concessions, primarily the removal of most economic sanctions. On other foreign policy issues, Iran remains an adversary who wants a different power structure in the Middle East than we do.
If we attempt to thwart Iran's goals in Syria or Palestine by using weapons (sanctions) the nuclear agreement prohibited, we will almost certainly doom the accord without achieving our other objectives. The administration's contradictory statements about Iran suggests an unwillingness or incapacity to compartmentalize its policies towards the regime.
If the president attempts to bully the Iranian government with threats, it will almost certainly respond with a resumption of its nuclear weapons program. Any sanctions we impose will fail to work, especially since our negotiating partners will not cooperate. Then Trump will face the harsh alternatives of war or diplomatic humiliation.
If we attempt to thwart Iran's goals in Syria or Palestine by using weapons (sanctions) the nuclear agreement prohibited, we will almost certainly doom the accord without achieving our other objectives. The administration's contradictory statements about Iran suggests an unwillingness or incapacity to compartmentalize its policies towards the regime.
If the president attempts to bully the Iranian government with threats, it will almost certainly respond with a resumption of its nuclear weapons program. Any sanctions we impose will fail to work, especially since our negotiating partners will not cooperate. Then Trump will face the harsh alternatives of war or diplomatic humiliation.
20
In fact although iran is complying regarding the deal, and it is America who is continuing to use sanctions so forcefully that the Iranians can't see the advantages of the deal..
The issue about 'meddling' is much more profound and a totally different issue and has to do with the historic Sunni Shia divide unfolding before our eyes. In respect of Saudi Arabia and human rights and meddling- Saudi Arabia is most definitely no better and somewhat worse!
The issue about 'meddling' is much more profound and a totally different issue and has to do with the historic Sunni Shia divide unfolding before our eyes. In respect of Saudi Arabia and human rights and meddling- Saudi Arabia is most definitely no better and somewhat worse!
35
Someday Iran will fulfill its Persian tradition of valuing education, art, and trade, to eventually become a force for democracy in the region.
Trumps policies are delaying this destiny and showing other countries that we are not a country to be trusted.
Is there anyone out there, other than his voters, that have ever trusted Trump? Certainly no US banks have. Same for contractors , other developers, and the Scots of golf course fame.
Countries around the world are beginning to take a hands off approach in dealing with him, and by extension, with us.
Trumps policies are delaying this destiny and showing other countries that we are not a country to be trusted.
Is there anyone out there, other than his voters, that have ever trusted Trump? Certainly no US banks have. Same for contractors , other developers, and the Scots of golf course fame.
Countries around the world are beginning to take a hands off approach in dealing with him, and by extension, with us.
110
According to the IAEA and the signatories to the agreement Iran has and continues to fulfill all of its obligations as specified in the nuclear agreement it is the US that has failed to live up to the spirit of the agreement by denying Iran access to the US banking system, i.e., use of dollars in trade, and in so doing is spooking major investments in Iran, thus undercutting the achievements of the historic accord and the presidency of Mr. Rohani who by all counts is a moderate with an inclusive worldview. Engaging Iran diplomatically and economically can have profound global benefits while isolating Iran will have exactly the opposite affect.
27
Here we go again, saying that Trump must "develop a strategy." Trump does not develop strategies. He does not develop anything, least of all himself. His very essence is precisely one of developmental arrest and incapacity. The expectation of any kind of strategy development is made of the same cloth as the mass delusion that got him elected in the first place. In an unintended but perverse way, by continuing to write about expectations for the development of a WH strategy, the NYT is continuing to vote for Trump as a viable president. And that he is not. He is a pretend president in a horrible and frightening reality show.
29
Excellent article. There are things the Us does not like about the Iranian regime and its behaviour. But there are things it has done right like the Nuclear Agreement. Iran is "destabilising the region" but so are others and more important the "destabilising" is in fact part of the region in transition. Containment, engagement, dialogue, respect, and a sense of history are all necessary. So is a little more "judgement" but there is the rub: theUS even under good presidents has been served badly.It is ridiculous to expect anything from the fraudulent clown now in the White House. With all its problems those of the M.East dwarf those faced by the US in coming years. Good Luck.
13
“has no intention of passing the buck to a future administration.”
-Tillerson
Well I wish he would pass it on, we'd all be a lot safer. Iran and the entire Mideast is no place for amateurs like this Administration to be involved in. It seems Mattis is the only one showing restraint right now but he's outnumbered by the neophytes in charge. And if all boils down to who Trump listened to last. Isn't that a scary thought. Our lives may depend on who the last person was to walk in the Oval Office.
"Where exactly is Mr. Trump going with this?"
Unfortunately no one knows the answer to that, least of all the President! Now there's another frightening thought.
-Tillerson
Well I wish he would pass it on, we'd all be a lot safer. Iran and the entire Mideast is no place for amateurs like this Administration to be involved in. It seems Mattis is the only one showing restraint right now but he's outnumbered by the neophytes in charge. And if all boils down to who Trump listened to last. Isn't that a scary thought. Our lives may depend on who the last person was to walk in the Oval Office.
"Where exactly is Mr. Trump going with this?"
Unfortunately no one knows the answer to that, least of all the President! Now there's another frightening thought.
85
It is mind-boggling that Mr. Trump and Mr. Tillerson would go out of their way to pick a fight with Iran, when even they admit that it has complied with the nuclear agreement.
At this rate, no nation will want to do any kind of business, diplomatic or otherwise, with the US, because they will know that the Trump administration can't be trusted to maintain even a modicum of consistency in its policies or pronouncements, much less abide by its own agreements.
At least 4 more years of being beyond embarrassed by our ridiculous president and how many more of having to cope with the fallout of the actions of his bizarre administration - what a prospect.
At this rate, no nation will want to do any kind of business, diplomatic or otherwise, with the US, because they will know that the Trump administration can't be trusted to maintain even a modicum of consistency in its policies or pronouncements, much less abide by its own agreements.
At least 4 more years of being beyond embarrassed by our ridiculous president and how many more of having to cope with the fallout of the actions of his bizarre administration - what a prospect.
76
If there are enough Democrats in the House after 2018, he might not complete 4 years.
8
What Trump is really trying to do is to build a hotel in Tehran. Once he has appeased his right wing supporters that he is tough, that will be the essence of his deal. Until then, the policy of schyzophrenic vacillation will continue.
19
The facts are that it was American policy that gave birth to the Ayatollahs now governing Iran. In 1953, using brutal means and a lot of money, the CIA led by agent Kermit Roosevelt overturned the democratically elected government of Mohamed Mossadegh in Iran. The US took 40% of Iran's oil profits for its troubles and Iran was saddled with the murderous dictatorship of the megalomaniac Shah whom Washington supported and coddled as he tortured dissidents and made democracy, from which the US had diverted Iran, a hopeless dream.
It was American avarice and stupidity that directly resulted in the present Iranian government. The same two characteristics, never in short supply, will lead to another catastrophe, for America as much as for Iran.
It was American avarice and stupidity that directly resulted in the present Iranian government. The same two characteristics, never in short supply, will lead to another catastrophe, for America as much as for Iran.
212
I'm an Iranian, and I found this article fair. I always read Google News, and in the recent week, all the news were focused on how Trump should begin a new war with Iran. Forbes published a lot with that regard, and NYTimes did it almost after 10 days.
I'm atheist Iranian who against Iran's current regime, but the change is not going to take place in one night by a revolution. I think if the US or any other power wants to change the face of Iran, they should have more connection with Iranians. They should encourage Iranian's middle class population come and go to western countries as tourists, not blocking them. They should invest on educating people on liberal values. Iran has the third number of Engineering graduates in the world, but philosophy is not taught in Iran, and I think because Iran has a huge educated population, it's ready to accept liberal values, and that's the place the real change would happen.
I'm atheist Iranian who against Iran's current regime, but the change is not going to take place in one night by a revolution. I think if the US or any other power wants to change the face of Iran, they should have more connection with Iranians. They should encourage Iranian's middle class population come and go to western countries as tourists, not blocking them. They should invest on educating people on liberal values. Iran has the third number of Engineering graduates in the world, but philosophy is not taught in Iran, and I think because Iran has a huge educated population, it's ready to accept liberal values, and that's the place the real change would happen.
271
Thank you.
@YouYeg - Iran - I support completely what you write and have written similar thoughts today - comment and a reply to Anne-Marie Hislop - and in many comments during the past two years.
The US should be encouraging Iranians to visit the USA and make it possible for them to do so. My Iranian friends occasionally have visits from family here in Linköping and I get to meet some of them. It is the USA that loses by blocking the doors.
There must be a million or so in Irangeles with Iranian roots who would like to have family and friends visiting Los Angeles which on a bad day can offer the same bad air that Teheran offers its residents.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen - US SE
The US should be encouraging Iranians to visit the USA and make it possible for them to do so. My Iranian friends occasionally have visits from family here in Linköping and I get to meet some of them. It is the USA that loses by blocking the doors.
There must be a million or so in Irangeles with Iranian roots who would like to have family and friends visiting Los Angeles which on a bad day can offer the same bad air that Teheran offers its residents.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen - US SE
We seem to be returning to the "axis of evil" thinking of the Bush administration - the 3 countries being, N. Korea, Syria and Iran.
8
Or maybe it is Russia, China, and the U.S.
7
Successive administrations have opted to sit with the wrong crowd in the Middle East -- expansionist Israel and Wahhabist Saudi Arabia. Trump is merely continuing a policy that has given the U.S. a bad reputation in the region.
83
Hello Procivic et al.
agree with you but the result is way more than just reputation. It is a series of bloody and expensive wars that have produced no wins but endless suffering.
Not least of the collateral effects are the repeated economic crisises in the States and across the world...and with the Donald's catastrophic election. Follow the money?
agree with you but the result is way more than just reputation. It is a series of bloody and expensive wars that have produced no wins but endless suffering.
Not least of the collateral effects are the repeated economic crisises in the States and across the world...and with the Donald's catastrophic election. Follow the money?
10
"bloody and expensive wars that have produced no wins but endless suffering"
Losing wars is always bad policy.
In this case, even winning them would not have been so great.
Losing wars is always bad policy.
In this case, even winning them would not have been so great.
2
The Trumpian view of Iran goes way back, ask the CIA about 1953, examine Reagan thinking 1988 - the day after the Halabja mass murder the US states that it was Iran that gassed Kurds and Iranian front-line troops (It was Reagan's friend, Saddam Hussein). And now the US has as its partners the strangest ever couple, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The absurdity of it all is expressed so eloquently by Nikki Haley in stating that the chief culprit of regional turmoil is Iran or by Tillerson viewing nuclear-armed North Korea with not-a-single-nuclear-weapon Iran.
And, a reminder, provided by Socrates at Douthat on Sunday:
Countries/territories with most prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants:
Seychelles 799
USA (aggregated) 693
....Iran and its infamous Evin prison did not even make the top 10, Iran has a long way to go to match our record as "greatest threat".
Perhaps Boeing should talk with Donald about selling a few planes to Iran, dealmaker Donald understands that language.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
The absurdity of it all is expressed so eloquently by Nikki Haley in stating that the chief culprit of regional turmoil is Iran or by Tillerson viewing nuclear-armed North Korea with not-a-single-nuclear-weapon Iran.
And, a reminder, provided by Socrates at Douthat on Sunday:
Countries/territories with most prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants:
Seychelles 799
USA (aggregated) 693
....Iran and its infamous Evin prison did not even make the top 10, Iran has a long way to go to match our record as "greatest threat".
Perhaps Boeing should talk with Donald about selling a few planes to Iran, dealmaker Donald understands that language.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
56
If Trump violates our side of the diplomat agreement with Iran, especially if they are keeping up their end the United States will lose all credibility on finding diplomatic solutions going forward. Our word is our bond and without we lose any credibility on the world stage.
Take the situation with North Korea. A diplomatic solution would be much more ideal than the potential for another war. Military engagement should be a last resort not the first thing we do.
The Middle East is a complex region. Their values and motives are different than ours. They must get their house in order, we can't do it for them and generally our efforts make the situation worse not better.
Hopefully Trump won't do anything to damage the agreement with Iran. After W's actions in Iraq we don't have a lot of credibility in the Middle East. Upholding our end of the bargain could change that. Diplomacy is always cheaper than war.
Take the situation with North Korea. A diplomatic solution would be much more ideal than the potential for another war. Military engagement should be a last resort not the first thing we do.
The Middle East is a complex region. Their values and motives are different than ours. They must get their house in order, we can't do it for them and generally our efforts make the situation worse not better.
Hopefully Trump won't do anything to damage the agreement with Iran. After W's actions in Iraq we don't have a lot of credibility in the Middle East. Upholding our end of the bargain could change that. Diplomacy is always cheaper than war.
39
Diplomacy is(/was, in the case of Iran) the (small-'r') republican thing to do.
Going to war first is the (capital-'R') Republican thing to do.
Going to war first is the (capital-'R') Republican thing to do.
2
"Hopefully Trump won't do anything to damage the agreement with Iran. After W's actions in Iraq we don't have a lot of credibility in the Middle East. "
The US Congress & WH will do whatever the Israel Lobby says it must do. eg. Trash Iraq & if Sheldon Edelson & his buddy Netanyahu get their way , trash Iran.
The US Congress & WH will do whatever the Israel Lobby says it must do. eg. Trash Iraq & if Sheldon Edelson & his buddy Netanyahu get their way , trash Iran.
2
The confusion of the Republican's policy is no different from their confusion over domestic policy. You over rate them by suggesting that this is some sort of intentional good cop-bad cop dance. It is just plain stupidity coming from Un-American bottom dwelling neophytes.
149
The Trump diplomacy agenda, do what we say, or we will bomb you.
He send an amateur at diplomacy, a CEO who expects his orders to be obeyed, up against professional diplomats who do know how to bargain, and how the world works.
The Iranians are the best educated of the Islamic countries, with a long history of negotiating with other countries. The Europeans are setting up shop and making business agreement with them.
Trump displays more of his ignorance and pusillanimity every day and hour. He is an affront to civilized people everywhere.
He send an amateur at diplomacy, a CEO who expects his orders to be obeyed, up against professional diplomats who do know how to bargain, and how the world works.
The Iranians are the best educated of the Islamic countries, with a long history of negotiating with other countries. The Europeans are setting up shop and making business agreement with them.
Trump displays more of his ignorance and pusillanimity every day and hour. He is an affront to civilized people everywhere.
241
Trump is an "amateur at diplomacy"?
You are being way too kind.
You are being way too kind.
10
The comment you refer to was writing about Tillerson, not Trump.
"The Iranians are the best educated of the Islamic countries"
Other centers of learning that we in the Islamic world have already been destroyed. Much is in ruins that could have been of help to the US, following better conceived policies.
Other centers of learning that we in the Islamic world have already been destroyed. Much is in ruins that could have been of help to the US, following better conceived policies.
2