Trump said we gave Iran 100 billion dollars ,cash,in barrels and boxes!He forgot that any money given to Iran was their own money, that we had been holding for decades! So little rocket man must give up "his rockets" but big rocket man gets to keep his ! And little rocket man will have be induced into a medical coma during the period of America backing out of the Iran agreement! In Trump we trust!
Putin will go down in history as the mastermind in the destruction of the Pax Americana, and at that from a point of vastly inferior economic and military power. As we know by now he achieved this by shrewdly backing, illegally of course, the election of a divisive and unpredictable president, over whom he appears to have an appreciable influence. Putin predictably backed Trump for his potential to alienate his friends and allies. Despite Lavrov's and Wang's opposition to changing the JCPOA, Putin is most likely hoping for the opposite, as it represents another wedge being driven between the US and its European allies. The same applies for the trade tariffs, as they as well help to drive the EU closer to Russia and China. Additionally, Trumps domestic agenda, except perhaps for the escalation in military spending, falls pretty much into the realm of weakening the US's economic in the long term by undermining education, lowering research expenditures (let's see if Congress can reverse the disastrous FY19 research budget proposals submitted by Trump), passing unsustainable tax cuts, despoiling the environment, withdrawing health benefits by undermining insurance (life expectancy is now decreasing), letting the infrastructure decay further and encouraging political partisanship. Putin is managing without casualties what Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito's general Tojo could not achieve even with sacrificing tens of millions of casualties.
There is no saving a deal made by Obama. Trump is one who "gets even" with those who offend him.
And just how, exactly, is anyone -- US or France -- supposed to get Iran to stop supporting Hezbollah, are far bigger problem in the region, without Iran having something to lose if they keep supporting Hezbollah, eh? It's not about missiles, it's about Hezbollah.
To all those who say we did not get a good deal with the Iran nuke deal, I say:
1. What would you have added to the deal, that is superior to the collective thinking of dozens of nuclear and political experts from all those countries studying it for 2 years?
2. What stick or carrot would you have used to get Iranians to agree to it?
Realizing all along that the more demands you include into a package, the more likely it will fail! It's like buying a house. Just when the deal is made, you ask if they can throw in the Ferrari in the garage and a date with his wife. NOT!
2.
For Macron this is a waste of a flight to DC unless he just wanted to visit Washington in the spring.
DJT is a tried and convicted liar so there is no sense in “negotiating “ anything.
I will forever remain uneasy seeing any picture of the WH that includes DJT as it is just another reminder of how much he doesn’t belong there and how much we have lost as a nation since January 2017.
Resist. Vote. Repeat.
Doesn't it seem odd that the ladies are wearing little dresses, Macron is wearing a suit, and Trump is wearing a winter coat? Is he cold? My 85-year old granddad got cold easily.
1
Saw a documentary about Caligula the other day.
He was the best Emperor ever. Believe me.
Uncanny.
I think that I now believe in reincarnation.
Has Trump done one good thing since he took office? It’s not a rhetorical question. I really would like to know. Looking for help here.
Mr. Trump has a good point that Iran should be punished through sanctions, but the nuclear deal is likely the only factor right now that is just barely improving ties, not relations as the United States and the Islamic Republic have no diplomatic relations. Macron is a close ally of the United States and we should hope that his pressure to stay in the nuclear deal with Iran is enough to convince Mr. Trump that leaving the deal will only begin to destabilize the Middle East. Tehran is a close friend of North Korea, so Khamenei and Rouhani could just turn to Pyongyang if the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the full name for the deal, is abandoned by the US. The United States should impose sanctions on Iranian institutions and ministers for human rights violations instead of for nuclear ambitions. Tehran already executes the second highest number of citizens after China and persecutes dissidents and women's rights activists, torturing and executing them for insulting, denigrating or criticizing the government. Human rights sanctions have already been applied to Russia through the Magnitsky Act, and the terms of the Magnitsky Act allows the United States to impose sanctions on any official, government, or corporation in the world for human rights violations. Why not use this against Iran?
No way he doesn't tear up the Iran deal.
He's broken so many promises ( lock her up, Mexico will pay for the wall, tear up NAFTA, get lobbyists out of DC, no Super PACs, self-funding his campaign ) that he can't afford another one. And now ISIS is back after Obama had defeated them.
I'm a Republican and incensed at how many promises he's broken. I've been telling myself I just will stay home this November, but if he doesn't break from this deal and let Iran enrich Uranium like they were doing before Obama put an end to it, I'm going to send him a clear message and vote with the Blue Wave.
To quote the brilliant DJT "We will see what happens. And when Macron sees what happens he will finally stop his bromance with a 2 faced man.
2
“Who would, in their right mind, deal with the U.S. anymore?”
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister
Great question.
Answer anyone?
3
Today the answer is President Emmanuel Macron of France.
1
Macron will get stiffed on Iran like everyone else toxic Donald comes into contact with on any other topic. Donald's comments to the press this morning about the "terrible deal" reflect just how shallow and inept he is.
A deal with Trump is like shaking hands with Jello. It just isn't going to hold. You can't make a deal with a pathological liar and con man, you just can't.
1
Hitching one's star to Trump is ill-fated, at best.
1
Since Trump doesn't believe in telling the truth, and ethical behavior is certainly out of the question, indeed it's no doubt considered weakness by the reality TV star, not sure why Macron came, since Trump will tell him one thing and then immediately change his mind.
I were the French president I'd advise him to tell Trump the opposite of what he really wants. Tell Mr. Orange that the Iranian deal is terrible and that he needs to scrap it. That will certainly make the oppositional Donald want to keep the deal.
What's so frightening is, that after reading my comment, I realized the comment actually makes sense and that it applies to the leader of the free world. Sad...and so terrible.
2
I'm not sure what's so hard for right-wingers to grasp about the following:
1. The Iran Accords did not cover everything Iran does. We may legitimately raise a wtink about their missile tech, and their support of terrorism.
2. What the Accords do cover--the Iranian bomb program--they are working to cover. There is zero, repeat zero, evidence that they're hoarding nuclear material, building a new reactor, getting more centrifuges, and so on. Zero. This stopped their bomb for at least ten years.
3. We cannot unilaterally reimpose sanctions; all the other sognatory countries have said no, and loud and clear.
4. Trump can bluster all he wants. Throw out the deal, and we have no leverage. At all. And we're propped up Iran's own right-wing kooks.
5. Anybody who thinks some bluster, a cheap airstrike or two, and the world will rally to our righteous banner, is a fool. And a fool who plans to watch from a far, safe distance as brave men and women die.
1
Trump made his “fire and fury” speech about Iran with Macron sitting next to him a little over an hour ago. We have or are about to have warmongers heading the State Department and the NSC, and we have a toddler CIC having tantrums because the world disagrees with him.
Another round of high anxiety for the country. While an orchestra of Republicans fiddle away in Congress.
1
I doubt if Macron can talk Trump into anything. He is now using his own cell phone to hide who is talking to and ignores his Chief of Staff Kelly and doesn't even tell him about meetings. He alone can fix it!
1
Trump seems to have called the Iran deal terrible, horrible, no-good in front of Macron. Netanyahu still wants it abrogated. I assume that's what will happen. I suppose North Korea will pay attention. Perhaps they can rent nuclear arms experts to countries needing their own arsenals. Saudi Arabia?
"They have agreed that Iran would be sanctioned if it blocks international nuclear inspectors from any site, including military sites. "
Isn't that requirement part of the existing agreement? It is the case that inspectors must ask for access and, through the protocol in the agreement, that access can be delayed for 25 days -- while Iran cleans up the site.
The concept that Iran can, already, block access completely, as implied by that statement, and then we must achieve agreement before sanctions are reimposed, is contrary to what we've been led to believe about the existing agreement. If that is the case: Sanctions should be reimposed now.
2
There were six world powers, including the US responsible to have in place the original Iran Agreement. It is best for the US to remain in the Agreement, and reiterate that position on May 12.
What is important here is to respect the value of diplomacy and negotiations. It is with that in mind that negotiators from both sides of the Atlantic that, have stayed focused to develop side agreements. It means nothing has been taken for granted. If Iran fails to respect conditions of the original agreement, the side agreements come as a reminder to restrain Iran.
No matter whether it is Macron or Merkel visiting the WH, they both represent two of US's staunch allies. They bring a message of friendship, loyalty and gratitude. Mr. Trump should listen and pay heed to their unselfish advise and persuasion. It is in our best interests, for now and the future.
1
If it's not break, why fix it? Donald Trump want demolish the house because he doesn't like the kitchen.....Well, good luck with that.
6
Macron is a fool to think his visit will be seen as anything more than France bowing to the Trump regime. He is a big disappointment, civilization needs a rational alternative to the Trump regime, especially as in weakened political positions, leaders of the UK and Germany can't do that. Who can blame Iran for seeking nuclear arms if the deal falls apart as Iran is under threat, and France and the EU are irrelevant.
Charles DeGaulle would have seen this as an opportunity for France to be a leader of the civilized world instead of a vassal to the US.
12
Trump will want something in return, like maybe your loyalty.
3
Having lived and reported on France, I don't believe for a minute that Macron is "close" to Trump in the sense of having a personal rapport. Trump is the epitome of vulgarity, a loathed trait in France, especially in the upper levels of society (note how Sarkozy was ridiculed--as le president Bling-Bling.) At the same time, Macron surely sees how desperately Trump wants to be seen as "classy," and France still represents classiness. So he may lay on la bise--the kiss on both cheeks--and other superficial trappings of French culture, while feeling disgust and contempt to try to achieve his ends. Obviously, I'm not privy to the inner workings of Macron's mind or heart, but I have a hard time believing that he and Trump are MCM aka les meilleurs copains du monde aka BFFs and it seems naively American-centric to make that assumption.
23
Well, you have a very good point that many foreign citizens loathe Trump, but the decision to take the US out of the nuclear agreement and put new sanctions on Iran is perhaps one of the most serious geopolitical decisions today. Macron must tread carefully to keep relations between France and the United States as strong as possible and to push Washington to stay in the deal. Leaving the deal and sticking new sanctions to Tehran may just aggravate Khamenei and make Iran pursue new nuclear weapon ambitions.
1
The French Revolution was the epitome of French classiness. Double entendre intended.
Here’s the problem: Trump’s chaotic, incoherence is described as “mercurial”. Trump is confused, ignorant, and irrational. Mercurial implies some rationality. There is none.
Macron’s flattery may be enough. Perhaps Merkel will do the same? We can only hope. America has presented the world with a buffoon.
7
Er President Macron, Mr Trump is only interested in himself.
I suggest you consult the leading personality disorder expert in France before you come over here on how to deal with an ego maniac demagogue like Trump.
8
I'm sure Trump has never touched a shovel that wasn't a gold-plated (or painted) ceremonial prop.
5
No. I’m pretty sure he dug that hole and planted that tree. Bone spurs now better.
1
If they share their contempt of workers there is no telling what a powerful bond might form.
Macron's coziness with Trump appeases the extreme Right Nationalists the world over (especially in France) who, like the US, are a serious force to be reckoned with. Appeasement was also what got World War II started and resulted in a civil war in France. Macron over estimates himself and on that level, makes an excellent bedfellow for Trump.
4
Friendship?! I suspect it’s more like Macron being quite smart and cleverly maneuvering a very unsmart Trump. You can’t win anything with Trump via reason and logic. But you can flatter him, and then twist. Way to go Monsieur le Président.
16
let him decertify the deal the beat still goes on and the deal is still in place hopefully the other countries have the smarts to keep it going as it works
2
...the beat still goes on for Iran to get nuclear weapons.
2
The real answer is to destroy those nuclear sites-who will do it,we,Israel or Saudi Arabia,is the only question?
If Macron can conjure up the name of a faux-Iranian wrestler from the WWF, he might stand a chance of changing Trump’s puerile mind.
4
I take it that what makes their relationship "special" is that Macron is the only European leader not to call Trump stupid? That's really deep. Definitely the basis of something lasting. Such a sentiment should be on a Hallmark card.
4
Much better speech from Macron than trump - no surprise. Can we temporarily replace trump with Macron as our president?
Most cringe-worthy moment was Macron shaking hands with Bolton - who called Macron a "Useful Idiot of Islamism" and "France on the Verge of Total Collapse" under Macron, as stated by the other Russian mouthpiece in America, the Gatestone Institute, financed by the Mercers and run by Bolton himself.
Will Angela Merkel be so insulted with the displeasure of shaking Bolton's hand too when she visits later this week?
Bolton's organization doesn't even hide its white supremacist ideology with a piece called "Europe: The Great White Death" among many other outlandish and insulting articles defaming Europe and European leaders on behalf of Russia.
Ahhh, just as Putin craves it. Russian propaganda via Bolton's Gatestone Institute in America.
Enjoy the slaughtered lamb, President Macron - just don't be fooled by trump-Bolton and become one.
7
Wishful thinking by the NYT,Macron & Merkel are coming around to The Don's way of thinking.They had high praise for his Syrian action & now can see the folly of the Iran deal.
2
Where Trump sees Europe's North Korea, Macron et al see Europe's Mexico...
Or their Brazil, if they could entice Turkey into Mexico's role...
Thought the EUreaucrats were looking for regional trade advantage vs the US...
Looking more at the map, they're looking not to have regional trade disadvantage vs India or China...
*ttp://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-11/21/content_22506412.htm
"...China's railway authority has proposed a...high-speed railway connecting the country's northwest region to West Asia via Central Asia...
All know what happens when a transcontinental railroad is built...
Yesterday, NYT had an apt op-ed by the author of an apt book...
*ttps://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/22/opinion/macron-knows-that-to-change-a-country-you-change-its-trains.html
PS
What does it say about our culture that our railroads...
> Are crumbling and rotting
> When reworked, get ridiculous on-the-cheap patches - where trains go off the rails on curves and in stations...
*ttps://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/opinion/amtrak-derailment-seattle.html
Realize this approach "saved" half the construction cost, vs building things with the correct track radius for reasonable speed...
> Have a signaling system that's seventy years out of date
PPS
Could learn a thing or two about decent passenger rail service from Mr Macron - the Chinese certainly took copious notes...
One of those being that folks who pioneered in widespread nuclear power, pioneered in widespread high-speed rail...
3
Macron's self-importance have clouded his judgement: Trump is basking in the attention. Trump could care less about France and the Iran Treaty because:
1. it is the signature achievement of Obama's foreign policy so it has to go.
2. the Saudis want it to go for which they will invest handsomely in the Trump Org after Trump is out of office
3. Sheldon Adeloson wants it to go so Trump will terminate the treaty.
Any reasons resembling policy are simply not part of the calculus.
6
Why have any agreement with the USA? There must be at least a minimum of trust between the parties. So far all Trump has been doing is to tear up agreements, why would anyone trust him and his or any other US administration?
Like any nation, Iran has self-interests too. In what way is Iran a danger to the USA or Israel, both are nuclear powers.
4
Common sense dictates that changing the deal will compromise America's word. Who would make a deal with someone who changes the terms? Another example of Trump's damage to America's reputation.
11
Iranian intention is to be the primary regional power, employing all means, legitimate or otherwise, to achieve that goal. Our strategy is to encourage that, why not, but to eliminate violence and associated weaponry as their means to an ends. If successful trade policy brings affluence to Iran, the need for war will be tremendously reduced as will the voices of religious zealots.
4
While it may be imprudent to jump out of the Iran agreement now, people focusing on Mr. Trump are missing those who are truly to blame for this nightmare. President Obama made this deal and bashed anyone who got in his way, most notably the Israeli prime minister who wasn't allowed to participate in talks and who was vilified by Mr. Obama for merely trying to speak out. Meanwhile, who can't draw a straight line now from Mr. Obama's agreement and today's problems in Syria? Who can't see now the menace Iran's military bases in Syria provide Israel and so many others? The deal Mr. Obama brokered and jammed through even seems to have emboldened Russia in Syria and the rest of the Middle East. President Trump may not be the greatest but it was President Obama's ineptitude that caused this fiasco.
2
Can anyone recognize the fact Iran is using it's new economic freedoms to start proxy wars in the region?
Iran is as dangerous as ever and they are benefitting from a horrible deal .
That being said a deal is a deal. New sanctions can be imposed on new aggression by Iran but the deal should be left alone.
The N Korea summit needs to have two partners willing to honor a deal.
1
Can I assume that most of us feel like hostages since this Trump takeover has plagued our nation? Come on Mr Mueller! Can you speed this up just a little without compromising the case? NEVER AGAIN will I assume that the obvious incompetent will lose an election.
11
What is it about the Iranian Nuclear Deal that the signers of this deal are so protective of the deal.We have gone to bed with countries who are causing the most unrest in the Middle East Assad,.Iran,& Russia,supporters of the Slaughter of over 500,000t Syrians which include thousands of civilians, & children using the most inhuman means of destruction, Poison Gas, Barrel Bombs, & indiscriminate bombing of Civilian Areas.Are we to trust these purveyors of Death. Doen'’t anyone question what Russia is doing with the Iranian nuclear fuel that was given to Russia for safe keeping?
2
Trump may tell Macron what he wants to hear but he'll change his mind before the French Air Force 1 leaves U.S. air space. No matter how much our European allies like the Iran deal, it was brokered by the Obama administration and therefore has to be torn up by the spiteful, narcissistic child in the White House. Of course the Europeans will stick to the agreement, and Iran may or may not -- depending on how free it feels to resume its nuclear program -- but the Tweeter-in-chief doesn't think that far ahead, if at all.
9
I believe that is actually an incognito Bolton in the yellow dress. And such an iconic figure The Donald makes here. Suitable for a Grant Wood portrait.
2
Macron missed an opportunity to be remembered in the same legendary spirit as Lafayette if he would only have grabbed that shovel and hit djt in the face with it.
3
It can be expected that before the returning Macron's plane even touches down at Charles DeGaulle, Trump's White House, per the influence of Bolton's brave desk warriors, will issue a statement that the U.S. will definitively be withdrawing from the Iran nuclear agreement. Chancellor Merkel's intended visit will be an exercise in futility. The mothballed Iranian centrifuges will start whirling again, and Saudi Arabia will accelerate its march to become a countervailing nuclear armed power in the Middle East powder keg. Israel will refine its plans to...?
What could possibly go catastrophically wrong with this ignorant, impetuous, amoral Fake President in charge of the world's destiny?
6
John--Corporal Heel Spurs, and Private Mustache are going to start a war, as promised to interested contractors, and many innocent young Americans will die for nothing. Oh, goody, goody.
Macron is either a dope or a masochist or both. He apparently learned nothing when the WH cut him off at the knees when he said that Trump had agreed to stay in Syria.
France, the UK, and Germany can be included in a group of fools for trusting Trump ,the liar and thief in chief, based on their willing to appease the US and Trump.
The US wants to change JCPOA and if no changes are made Trump will opt out. Ever notice that Nafta negotiations are following the same pattern.
Trump is an untrustworthy partner has many have found out who had dealings with him in the private sector.
9
First of all Macron will be wasting his breath since everyone knows Trump will always agree with the person in front of him and then change his position after he hears from his Fox News handlers.
More importantly, if the U.S. pulls out of the deal, it's very unlikely that the other signatories will reimpose sanctions. Without the cooperation of European partners, goods can easily be trans-shipped from the U.S. to Europe and then to Iran. So Iran gets its cake and is able to eat it too. Maybe it still has the cake Reagan sent in a freezer and it can finally eat it.
5
Moreover, if we could create a trade environment where Iran is competitive with Russia, and not cooperative, we will have been able to succeed in more than exclusively the nuclear negotiations.
2
Macron can bond all he wants with the President but unless he talks to Stephen Miller and Hannity, all hiis effort will go down the drain.
19
I am afraid that many people still don't see that Trump's dysfunctional personality can only generate chaos, tearing-down of structures, plans, organizations, opposing other's ideas ... it can't listen or learn ... at a very deep level this rewards him ... regardless of what any initial appearances look like (ie with Macron) ... this is hardwired and malignant ...
16
Good luck with that, Emmanuel.
15
Good Luck M. Macron. Unfortunately whatever you do to convince Donald Trump of your way of thinking about the Iran deal today, our fickle egocentric adolescent president may change his mind tomorrow. How can foreign policy be administered by such a poorly developed little man with no understanding of the consequences of his behaviour?
18
Why does anyone believe that Trump will listen to the advice of any other
head of state, and especially that of a young charismatic one from Europe,
as opposed to that of any of the autocratic leaders he seems to admire? He is
unlikely to allow Macron to steal his show ( or rain on his own parade!) and he will never give up trying to wipe out Obama's achievements.
16
If ever President Trump changes his mind on the Iran deal, it could be that President Macron finds a new way to deal with President Trump. Be interview on FOX NEWS.
7
I don't think these two need to get any closer, Macron is already complicit in the fact trump now wants the US to put on a military parade( for him) to out do the one France held when he visited. Which will have to be paid for by the US taxpayer. Maybe while trump is still trying to get Mexico to pay for a border wall, he could find a way to get France to pay for his parade. Now this bond thing, are we by chance talking about James Bond? That would make better sense.
9
Mr. Macron will need to heap much praise on the “president” and present him with shiny objects to keep him focused on the conversation or Trump will wander off into la la land and complain about the fake news and hoe his fans adore him.
11
Donald is in his most dangerously petulant phase, The Mueller and now Cohen investigations are likely about to unveil his dirty underwear and he will desperately try to keep his base happy, A large number of his base have no idea what the Iran deal is or what the parameters are and will never even try to know but it will feel good that the US is sticking it to them, And that's what Trump will likely fall prey to.
The dangerous move especially in light of coming NK negotiations will be one step further toward chaos,
15
And...he has Bolton at his side encouraging "preemptive strikes" on Iran and N.K.
3
Trump's Great America is America in the 50s when it was the superpower, Europe and Japan were recovering from the ashes of their war and losing their colonial empires and China and his buddy Russia ad the USSR and dominanace over Eastern Europe. What is Macron's vision of Great France?
7
Macron's vision is 2018, not 1955.
Sounds pretty good for non-antediluvians.
4
The big news out of this summit will not be anything that happens with the men in the room. By now, even foreign leaders should realize that the shelf life of anything Trump commits to is the hours that pass until he recommences his morning routine of Fox and Friends and Tweets.
The salient news is the freshly sympathetic Melania. Her classy, cheery appearance at Barbara Bush's funeral where she more than held her own with former presidents and former first ladies. Her performance revealed a woman of poise and courage emerging from the muck of porn star payoffs and playmate shenanigans. A real husband would have been proud of her.
And, according to the NYT, Melania is handling this imminent state dinner with command and aplomb.
In this nation of immigrants, Melania Trump may yet become a potent and enduring symbol. I do wish this courageous lady well.
6
Her performance at Barbara Bush's funeral was pretty much what one would expect of any woman. She got dressed and she showed up.
4
In April last of twenty years ago, our Office knew that a fine economist and financier was on his way to France to be our US Representative. He was asked at the time whether his feelings toward the French were ambivalent, his having fled the Nazis in the occupied territory in youth. There are good and bad French, he replied, just as there are good and bad Americans.
The Red Queen started to send press clippings from Paris of my former supervisor who never underestimated the Power of the Press. A Man of the People, he was to revisit the Country on a vast scale and given a warm welcome by communities, schools and the very heart of France itself.
Here's to The Marseillaise and the Leader of France, while a gem belonging to Napoleon's first love, is shining brightly this dawn (her father in Marseilles did declare that 'One Bonaparte in the Family is enough!'). It was a token of courtship from a great-nephew of hers to my parent. The former, a man of few words and strong opinions, with a love for America, might have thought we were in transition to becoming a Nation of Dolts and Dupes under this Presidency.
Hold strong, Mr. Macron. America is not in need of a 'Guerre', and calling friends in Jerusalem who have advised us to keep our wits about us during this cabal of political crooks. We are going to sink or swim together, and counting on you and our Allies to take a strong stand now, as the sun rises in the spring.
1
Admirable that Macron wants or thinks he has a bond with Mr. Trump. I get we have different languages and such, but I suspect what he can have is bondage.
4
Macron is savvy and very shrewd when it comes to his relationship with Trump. Even down to the details such as the handshake are thought out ahead of time. I love the timely (right after Earth Day) gift of a tree, something Trump would never appreciate. That was also purposeful and sent a message.
5
It would seem there is largely agreement on the concessions the West (and possibly Russia and China, though their views were not mentioned) wants from Iran. But there seems to be no agreement on the concessions that should be offered to Iran to induce them to sign up. But that needs to be agreed, or this will be seem simply as another bit of bullying, and which is likely to backfire.
2
Good luck Macron. Given the many lies that Trump has spouted to his moron supporters about this deal it's unlikely HE even knows what's really in it. Donald J Trump will try to "mastermind" one of his fabulous " deals" that if the other partners in the treaty can't stop him will end up allowing Iran to start making nukes tomorrow instead of giving us 10 years breathing room. Face it Donny is just too stupid and lazy to bother UNDERSTANDING what's in this deal. He has the attention span of a tic-tac. I fear him screwing everything up just for the sake of optics and impressing the dumbest people in this country. I doubt any of his staffers can explain this deal using feathers and sock puppets in time.
15
Donald Trump holding a shovel.
I haven’t laughed so hard in ages.
13
He pulled out of climate control. The rest of the world is still in. If he pulls out of the Iran deal, the rest of the world is still in. All he's doing is marginalizing America.
14
A deal is a deal and you don't change it afterward except for consideration. So what exactly is the foolish man in the WH proposing to give Iran in return for whatever it is he wants of that nation? And extension of the agreement? It has always been implicit that would be negotiated at the end of the 15-year term. This deal was brought together by a nuclear physicist who served as Secretary of Energy under President Obama and the consulate Secretary of State, John Kerry. If we are not good to our word on this then we cannot be and should not be believed by anyone else in the world, starting with Kim Jong Un.
Further this deal has nothing to do with what Iran is doing in the Middle East, made no demands on them as to any other aspect of our or their policies, armaments of behavior or activities and it need not be pointed out that the decision that brought the cauldron of the Middle East to boiling was our incredibly stupid invasion and occupation of Iraq.
President Trump, one necessarily has to used the title with the man's name, is an addle brained, muddle headed fool of the first order and Macron should tell him so and so should Merkle on behalf of their nations, the EU and China and Russia who are also full parties to the agreement.
The fixation with undoing everything President Obama accomplished is beyond unreasonable, mean, and viciously ignorant. It is downright stupid because we have an incredibly stupid, ignorant and diseased creature in the White House.
21
Emmanuel Macron is trying to do damage control with this visit. Despite the appearances, he is not on the same page as the American President. The French President is the last tool that Europe has to pull any leverage on the dimwit who resides in the WH. The young 40 year French President, educated, well spoken
( in 3 languages) and well respected on the world stage is going to give the 70 year old man with the orange hair a lesson in world affairs. How ironic! Vive la France!
13
It is interesting that Trump might listen to a foreign leader, while as far as I can tell he doesn't really care what the majority of the people in the US want. I am finding that I don't much like living in a country ruled by a dictator instead of a leader. Maybe it is time to revisit this form of government that lets this imbecile rule virtually without constraint. US democracy was always considered an experiment and now more and more it seems like one which has failed.
4
If Marcon thinks he has a relationship with Trump he simply hasn’t been watching or listening to the man. To think that we had a chance to have a committed humanitarian in the White House and instead we got this clown...the kind of clown that engenders fear not mirth. It is hard to accept but accept it we must. Midterms and a whole sale clean out of Congress are our only hope.
7
Everyone is playing Trump's game. His gig is to negotiate. He wants to destroy every agreement made by the United States so he can negotiate a better deal.
The Europeans should allow this idiot to exit the Iranian deal and then go their own way.
None is this really matters because once Cohen rats on him, Mr. Trump will resign to avoid prosecution - then Pence can pardon him!
7
Trump in all likely hood has not read or been briefed on the importance of the Iran deal. He ought to tune in to John Oliver's show for a concise explanation that even a three year old can understand, 0 < 10.
5
Even with Iran deal breakers Mike Pompeo nearing confirmation as Secretary of State and John "Blowtorch" Bolton whispering in his ears, French President Emmanuel Macron does have a good chance of persuading President Trump not to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Accord given that he can claim that with the new "side agreements" he's renegotiated and "'fixed'" the deal. This would burnish his image as a nuclear deal maker heading into negotiations with North Korea over ending their nuclear program. It would also send a signal to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that Mr. Trump is serious about making a deal to "denuclearize" the Korean peninsula. All we can hope is that like Lafayette, Mr. Macron can save Mr. Trump from his worst impulses and help him seize an important "win" by putting "as much common sense as [he] can" into him.
14
John Bolton and Sean Hannity hate the Iran deal, so Trump will kill it. He has the authority to do so. Google John Oliver's segment on the deal that aired this past Sunday. Needless to say it has a slightly different take than the talking heads on Fox
2
Mr.Trump dislikes any deal he did not negotiate.He wants what he wants.This deal was approved by our allies who expect us to keep our word.They have made some concessions and deserve American support.There is no way Mr. Trump can work out a nuclear limitation deal with North Korea if they realize that Americans , particularly Mr.Trump. cannot be trusted to keep their word.
6
How does President Emmanuel Macron break the news gracefully to President Donald Trump that Trump is being played for a fool by opponents of the Iran nuclear deal?
How does Macron explain that Benjamin Netanyahu is more dull-witted than Trump realizes and that Netanyahu is trying to save his presidency by sparking a war with Iran – just like Trump?
How does the French president gently allude to the fact that Jared Kushner was and is too naïve and inexperienced to be conducting international diplomacy?
How does Macron outline the complicated strategy of Kushner’s pal, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman? MBS is taking warlike actions against Iran in Yemen for the domestic reason of impugning the loyalty of Saudi citizens in the east of Arabia, where much of the oil is.
Those Saudi citizens happen to be Shiite Muslims, like most Iranians and the political majority in Iraq. The last thing MBS wants is a real war with Iran, even if Israelis and Americans do most of the dying.
Macron cannot know if Donald Trump is incapable of figuring this out on his own or simply doesn’t care. Trump may feel he needs a war with somebody to keep his job, and since North Korea now seems out of the question, Iran will have to do.
7
So Macron and Merkel will try to put sense into the man-child at WH. They should have planed their visit on May 10 and 11 so that Donald Trump would remember what the adults told him on May 12.
3
Macron's main reason for coming to Washington is to save his banks. Iran may also be the reason, but this trip was planned with 2 months notice in response to the Rusal sanctions. These silly banks walked right into the middle of Russian sanctions. It is all explained here: https://www.bestcashcow.com/us-treasury-department-eases-sanctions-on-ru...
1
Trump is as likely to agree with Macron while standing in front of him and change his mind the moment he leaves. I don't think there should be a world leader that would trust trump.
9
This clearly another episode in Trump's fake presidency. Trump doesn't know a single detail of the Iran deal, he's simply parroting Netanyahu and Sheldon Adelson's hysteria.
If America could survive the Cold War with Russia despite thousands of nuclear weapons, clearly Iran if anything is incentivized to get a nuke. What only Israel and Pakistan can possess nukes? With Bolton and now Pompeo, a neocon and a war hawk respectively, at the epicenter of pulling the war lever what's to worry? It's not like there's a torturer that's going to run the CIA...oh wait.
3
It does make sense in a way:
Both are war criminals and should face a war crimes tribunal together.
Plus, both are failing with their politics at home in nearly every respect but are still driven by their lust for power.
Other than that there is nothing that binds these two together.
1
Watch the tree planting ceremony. Trump claims he has an affinity with the workers of America but he can't even handle a shovel properly.
9
Trump would like nothing better than to end the visit with a climactic scene stealing yes to Macron, wave him off home with a big smile and then stiff him in the end.
That is how a Trump deal is done. Like Trump's management style of his branded products, his diplomacy is all glitz and scene stealing show but look behind the facade to find there is a blank where thoughtful understanding of the ramifications and soul should be.
4
Macron is far more intelligent and savvy than Trump. He knows that the way to play him is through flattery, so he will do that.
Let us hope he succeeds.
6
Trump's mercurial nature is destroying the US and causing problems all over the world. This Iran deal is good for 10 years. That is better than destroying it and having no curbs on Iran's nuclear program. I wish we had a president who was smart enough to understand international dealings. Why would N. Korea want to enter into any type of agreement with the US since when our signings mean nothing. They will be revoked at the whim of our 'great leader'. This is setting a precedent for all future presidents.
3
Just don't give Trump parade envy again. That works against everyone's interests.
4
It takes a Frenchman who combines a competitive machismo - shown in the handshake contest - with charming diplomacy, a nice accent and a military parade to appeal to this toddler Trump. A special friendship? Well, let Trump believe that. Could a relationship get any more shallow than when it iis build exclusively on pleasing the other’s ego? Make no mistake, Macron may be young, but he is not naive. He just knows how to handle Trump. His message will be exactly the same as Merkels, probably delivered a little more bluntly and in a less charming accent by the German chancellor. But rest assured that Merkel and Macron have a better understanding of and more respect for each other than for the bully who is currently soiling the WH. And they certainly do not share Trump’s agenda to destroy everything that has been (co-)created by Obama. Their first interest is in their people and finding solutions for the problems of the world, not in their ego, which seems to be Trump’s one and only motivation.
8
The Iran nuclear deal reached after a long period of negotiation with multiple international partners (and very skilled negotiators) is the best thing going. Nothing is perfect but without this deal Iran would have probably had a nuclear weapon by now or in the very short term. Trump has nothing further to offer other than to break the deal because he watches Fox news too much and is systematically undoing everything that Obama accomplished. The Iranians are not interested in re-visiting this intensely negotiated deal.
The American hard right in their haste, and who see every problem as a "nail," are lacking in common sense and risk making a good outcome far worse. I hope that Macron can prevail in helping Trump to see reason but I am not optimistic.
2
Netanyahu said ~7 years ago that Iran is only one year away from a nuclear weapon. Now with the current agreement there is angst that in ten years Iran could develop nuclear weapons.
More work needs to be done but the situation obviously greatly improved. Thanks Obama!
Trump should not throw out the Iran deal until he has successfully negotiated an even better North Korean deal.
1
I thought Macron was a bit more sophisticated---even if Trump promises some form of keeping the Iran deal---that could change with a tweet before Macron is wheels up in his ride home. His time would have been better spent at home where his political fortunes are beginning to go south.
Instead of wishing for a more sane administration, I think we (US Americans) should just sit back, grit our teeth, and let this anomaly self-destruct.
Yes, there will be collateral damage. But maybe it's worth it to show the world what the consequences are of an uninformed (or manipulated) electorate.
3
The Iran deal was dreadful. Full transparency was not granted. In ten years they will resume the program to build the bomb if they are not secretly building it now.
2
Unlike Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron has a clear understanding of geopolitics, realpolitik and the long term value of diplomacy. He is highly educated, articulate and well informed. I doubt that he is under any illusion that his fostering of a certain surface “bonhomie” with Trump will in the end count for much against the counsel of men like Bolton or Pompeo, but he is also very much a pragmatist. Macron knows that although, as Angela Merkel has clearly stated, Europe can no longer depend on the kind of reliable support from this administration it has enjoyed in the past, America cannot be ignored.
1
I fail to see how anyone in their right mind can consider that they can conclude a deal with USA while Trump is around
4
Exactly the point, No foreign govt would feel confident in signing any agreement with the US while Trumps mania is involved, Its what makes the NIK negotiations so dubious. Trump could easily tacitly agree to terms and then twitter us out of them the next day,
2
So essentially US policy is that nuclear weapons for any other country other than the ones that already have it is unacceptable. Since The US is the only country that has actually used nuclear weapons I am not sure what credibility it has in saying others should not even have them.
12
It should come as no surprise that Trump would rather heed the advice of Benjamin Netanyahu and the pro-Israel donors, on whom he relies to finance his re-election campaign. Trump doesn’t care much about geopolitics and foreign policy. He thinks the US, surrounded by oceans, could keep wars and terrorism at bay.
Should he remain tough and scrap the nuclear deal with Iran, he wouldn’t care if Iran resumed its nuclear activities. The only remedy he would offer is to sell more US arms to Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab states and help them acquire their own nuclear arsenal. He wouldn’t care if Israel and Saudi Arabia ganged up on Iran, destabilising the region further. He only has his own and the narrow interests of his supporters at heart.
19
Iran as the overriding issue over which the next war in the Middle East hangs in the balance. Israel may decide to launch an invasion of Syria at the bequest of Saudi Arabia; with US President giving a nod. QATAR caught in the middle as they share oilfields with Iran. Europe has no voice; even with Macron.
5
A critical piece in this ongoing discussion is the role of the United States in the Middle East and Central Asia. If Western Europe, led by Macron, Merkel and May, want assurances from America, counter concessions must be given by the European Union and Britain. Article 42 of the EU Treaty, mutual defence provision, should be implemented, and improved, to replace NATO as the primary defensive security agency of the region. The US would continue in a supplementary role. It would allow continued drawdown of American forces in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Western Europe is highly aware of the ramifications of the Iran ballistic missile program to their Continent. The financial resources are within the nations of the EU to provide for their own defense, and American insistence must be made.
3
Europeans didn't ask Americans to light the powder keg in Iraq and Syria and feed a worldwide terrorist movement. You did it on your own despite worldwide opposition, and Europeans have been paying the bill in human misery ever since. Thanks so much for that! So raise taxes in Texas to pay the bill or go bankrupt, you'll get no sympathy from me.
6
Thank you Andy for that skewed view. It completely makes the point. Europeans are unreliable. Always wanting the benefit of the American military shield, but never willing to assist. Europeans will now have the benefit of doing it on their own. You have three fronts-Russia, sub-Sahara Africa and the Middle East. All never went away during seven decades of European inattention. Your turn to assert your regional independence.
2
Even if Trump rdecides against Emmanuel Macron's advice for keeping the Iran nuclear deal alive, it will be technically difficult for Trump to walk away from the deal that involves other signatures also, as going against them will be the breach of international agreemement with costs involved in such a move.
14
Yes, young and inexperienced Macron "bonded" with Trump, like an apprentice, at the Bastille Day military parade in Paris.
This helps explain the involvement of France in the recent U.S. bombing in Syria, when Germany and other U.S. allies refused. [Theresa May of Great Britain was focusing on Russian use of a nerve agent on British soil and wanting to strike back at Putin.]
8
Macron acting rather like another Tony Blair? For years France overshadowed by German economic power. Now comes a chance for Macron to display his leadership qualities as champion of Europe. Britain by trotting out of the European Union has made itself completely irrelevant in Europe. Therefore France will replace Britain in terms of political influence. The French may also may be interested in joining "5 eyes" spy-sharing group; US Canada UK Israel Australia? IMPORTANT: Trump needs to know the Iran nuclear deal too important to revoke and any refusal would be a gift from heaven for Russia. US and Europe should realize they have a shared destiny; but not necessarily engaging in another "Cold War" against Russia or China? Great Games.
1
I wish Macron well but I fear Trump views him as the effete son he never had—and will treat him as he does his biological suns, with disdain.
9
If you think so that mean you don't know who is Macron. Macron is not expecting to change Trump, he is not dumb, he just thinks is better to talk than doing nothing. i'm not a "macronite" but what he is doing in France is a welcome change, very difficult. The french they do they don't go along with all the reformes. Is a" pas de deux" As for the NYT, my newspaper in Paris, I just heard your journalist on a tv show very condescendant about Macron. I know this paper is at war with Trump, and it's good , but you don't have to put down people who are trying something else
2
The wind will blow in many different directions by the time May 12th rolls around. Macron will be a fluttering breeze, passing in the night, and a dull memory of early spring. John Bolton will no doubt stoke the flames of war, rendering Melania's lovely dinner party for naught.
13
If, as rumored, Mr. Netanyahu is actually the one who is directing the US Middle East policy, it is not difficult to foresee where things are heading. Some time in May, Mr. Trump will be dismantling the Nuclear Agreement with Iran, reimposes the economic sanctions and Iranian forces in Syria will be bombed by Israeli planes. And, following Iranian retaliation for Israeli bombing, we will have a full-fledged regional war. And if Russia decides to intervene on behalf of Iran, US will enter the fray and the regional war will quickly turn into WWIII.
The reason that the Europeans are in Washington, trying to convince Mr. Trump to keep the Iran Nuclear Agreement, is that they are attaching a high probability to this scenario. Of course, millions of Iranians being killed in such a war is not the cause of their worries. What worries them most is what war could bring to their borders.
Before its civil war, Syria had a population of approximately 24 million. The war caused 5 million Syrians to head for European shores. Iran has 80 million population and a good chunk of them are middle class, well-educated, and resourceful. In the event of a major regional war, they will not stay and try to move out. If the same percentage of Iranians decide to leave their country for Europe, the European countries will have a huge problem on their hands, aggravating many of their existing political problems. I believe this is why Monsieur Macron and Frau Merkel are in Washington.
14
We all know about the weakness of side deals, and about Iranian non-compliance to allow inspections.
Also, it is the occasion now to open and reveal all the secret side-deals that were made in 2015.
Iran has not dismantled the majority of its centrifuges, and has expanded its ballistic missile development and its regional and world-wide mischief-making. Part of the side deal must be removal of the seven Iranian bases at or near Syria's southern border.
There is always a plan b possible. Part of it would be to paasively help the Iranian economy further implode, such that Iranian adventres would have to stop.
As admitted previously, "snapping back" sanctions is impossible. Besides, they already have their 150 billion.
Changes or scrapping the deal will affect the Kim negotiations only in a positive way by letting Kim know that Trump is no push-over.
Who other than the authors' opinion is it that committing to the deal may be difficult "given Mr Trump's mercurial nature"?
European leaders are not concerned about Iranian regugees. They are worried about their investments.
1
Dang! Melania and Emmanuel sure would make a handsome couple...
Just an observation, is all....
12
No plan B, says Macron? Not a good way to negotiate.
2
Remember the tropes? You don't negotiate with a gun to your head, and you don't negotiate with a madman.
No plan B reflects the universally held view that there is nothing more to negotiate. The US is not even holding up its end of the bargain, and no longer has any credibility anywhere on earth. Except maybe for the tail that wags the dog, Chaim.
3
I’ve never seen Melania smile at her husband the way she’s smiling at Macron in that photo.
19
Yes the photo is quite wonderful...and the Ladies' costumes.
Another picture where Melania looks happy. I’m sensing a trend!
8
Several senators warned Iran that the president alone -- then Barack Obama -- had no power to bind the United States to a deal beyond his presidency. The United States has every right to withdraw from the deal if it thinks that the deal no longer makes sense.
Whether Iran has nuclear weapons or not matters only in the abstract -- Iran will never us them. What does matter is that Iran has fostered war throughout the region. That needs to stop.
Iran certainly has good reason to hate the United States. We have not been kind to it. But the past cannot be changed. And the future will depend on Iran joining the community of nations as a modern state instead of an Islamic state.
5
Iran has fostered war in the region .... where?... Iraq, Syria, Libya????
11
Why is it that the Jewish State of Israel is accepted into the community of nations while the Islamic State of Iran isn't? Why is it that the Jewish State of Israel can have a nuclear arsenal but the Islamic State of Iran cannot? Why, in violation of international law, is it OK for the Jewish State of Israel to annex the West Bank at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of millions of Palestinians but the Islamic State of Iran is hissed at and booed because it supports the Palestinians.
1
Chip Steiner, Israel is a democracy run by elected people, including several Palestinian members of parliament. Israel has an independent judiciary and a well-developed legal system.
Iran is a theocracy run by religious leaders. Sharia law is enforced, dissent is not tolerated and political prisoners (including Americans) are put in jail. Or publicly hung.
Perhaps most important of all, Israel is concerned only with its own defense and survival. Over the past 70 years (as of May 14), it has made many offers to the Palestinians exchanging land for peace. The Palestinians have turned down every one, deciding to go to war or violent protests instead.
Even now, the Palestinians refuse to negotiate with Israel. That is their right, of course. But it's hard to blame Israel when the Palestinians will not come to the negotiating table and put an offer on it.
As for the Iranians, they are not content to defend themselves but instead have used their military force in Iraq and Syria, increased the strength of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and fomented a rebellion in Yemen. As Doctor Woo above points out, the United States has been foolish (especially during the younger Bush and the Obama years) in the region too. That does not excuse Iran.
1
Upon reading Andrew Bacevich's latest book on American involvement in the Middle East, his cold, hard truths of the situation show that Iran has endured a lot of hostility with a remarkably steady and measured response. We have manipulated regime changes in Iran for security of oil flow. We have shot down their civilian aircraft, assasinated their scientists, politicians and military commanders, and completely destroyed their navy (and many sailors) during the first gulf war. I am struggling to think of similar acts committed against us by Iran. It is worth noting that Meir Dayan, former director of Mossad and of spying on Iran stated he believed the regime to be balanced and not to be the threat they are being vaunted to be. This will be a very costly conflict, if we do indeed get drawn into in attacking Iran.
40
Dear President Macron: Making an agreement with Donald is like trying to turn quicksand into the foundation for a skyscraper. Just eat the burnt lamb and single scoop of ice cream, and get the heck out of there with your dignity somewhat intact.
56
Trump do not want any Iran-deal at all because Trump needs to be able to start a war against Iran to desperatly try to distract from the inevitable impeachment caused by Trump's campaign illegal collusion with Russia! There are so many clear evidence that Trump's campaign colluded with Russia, and Putin definitely have something extremely damaging on Trump to be able to continue blackmailing the President of USA!
6
Like the father from Taken told Marco... Good luck.
1
France's long term relationship is not with any given president but with the American people. Macron is making a big mistake by courting someone who is anathema to the majority of Americans. His 'bromance' certainly makes me think twice about France and where the country is headed.
7
The two men share disrespect to dress code: Trump's coat is unbuttoned and his tie is too long; Macron's tie is improperly knotted, with the tie-knot an asymmetrical triangle.
In the gossipy article "Trumps Throw Out Tradition for Their First State Dinner", next down on the front page, not a word is said about the dinner menu at Mount Vernon. One may pity Macron if he is served the US national dish of hamburger with ketchup and tasteless vegetables on a soft round bread bun, to be eaten with hands, without a fork and knife.
2
It is painful to think that these leaders have to take this man seriously. He doesn't know what's in the Iran Deal. And he could care less. He says what people like Netanyahu and Sheldon Adelson and the Saudis want to hear with respect to Iran. It's just the United States is a big player when it comes to international finance & banking ( the sanctions ) so other countries' have to deal with us. The other five countries should just move on without us. There's a market of 80 million Iranians waiting to trade. And getting Iranian oil on the market would get price down even lower.
25
Russia needs the price of oil high. Trump will deliver for the mother country.
6
The world needs to completely stop using oil, Irans... oil must remain unused in the ground! USAs greed for cheap oil is the fundamental reason for all the problems in the world, especially in Iran and Iraq and in Syria and in Saudi Arabia and in Afghanistan and in Pakistan and in...!
Iran should invest in solar power. not in nuclear power!
1
he COULDN'T care less
please
4
I'm not sure why this newspaper and others keeps talking about an "unusual bond" and an "unlikely friendship". I doubt their relationship is either. Macron is using diplomacy to get what he wants. If that entails a "friendship", so be it.
Maybe Macron really does like Trump and Trump likes Macron because Macron strokes him just right. But maybe doesn't tell us much and any inference we might try to make is so weak as to be meaningless.
Macron is smart and is a good politician. Trump appears to be a snake oil salesman. Some people have suggested he's crazy like a fox. I'm very skeptical of that because he there is no evidence he has any self control.
34
Trying to persuade trump to do anything that doesn’t make him look like an autocratic king is pointless. And with Bolton and Netanyahu against the Iran deal how will M Macron deal with the idiot in chief? I believe that trump will quash any proposal to continue the Iran deal. As another comment noted anything with the name Obama on it is bad.
13
"anything with the name Obama on it is bad", that is because Trump is a pure racist!
8
Stephen Crowley- that image is one for the history books. Remind me who is married to whom??!
17
I look at the photo and I wonder if that is a good place to plant a new tree on the White House lawn. Everything that Trump does, I have doubts about. Everything. He is an endless fountain of bad decisions.
41
I noticed there isn’t any dirt on the shovel. I used my shovel in my flower garden this weekend—should I show him how it works?
8
Who’s that on the roof of the White House?
Conspiracy theorists start your engines.
5
I think the only reason Trump wants to see Macron is to get some pointers on military parades... Trump asks Macron, "Should the jets fly overhead at first or the helicopters? I'm thinking big green machines all of them from different points---keeps both the public guessing, Russer guessing---did I tell you about my television ratings? Except the Mrs. wants me to wear a plaid red suit---with tiny blue diamonds...at this point I gotta tell ya,Macro I'll do anything bigly that she asks for--if you know whut I mean, amiright? Amiright?"
Marcon and even a Parisian mime performer already know the answer. Trump wants war, or at least the hysteria associated with a run up to war. Recall Bolton is champing at the bit. All that is needed is a CIA director who hates Muslims to exclaim, "It's a slam dunk." Oh wait that has already happened.
8
actually Macron sounded like he was just unsure of what else to do i.e. Trump will change his mind
3
A sizeable portion of Trump's base thinks that the major earthquake in Iran reported on April 19th was caused by Trump & Mike Pompeo either dropping a MOAB bomb or firing up the CIA weather machines. And no, I'm not joking, you should go spend some time in the Trump fever swamps on 8chan and see it for yourself.
16
Fair elections, for one:
"Exactly what fantasy democratic process did you imagine might be taking place in Iran?"
After Ahmadinejad was re-elected in 2009 -- by 11,000,000+ votes over his closest rival (Mousavi) -- many Westerners insisted the election had been rigged or otherwise unfair. For the first time ever, though (probably to be able to challenge such accusations, which were expected), Iran had counted and reported the votes separately at each polling station, and allowed each candidate to place an observer at each polling station to watch the voting and the vote count after the polls had closed. Mousavi had over 40,000 observers, each of whom presumably wrote down the vote totals at his polling station. Each of those vote counts matched, exactly, the vote count reported a few days later by Iranian election officials.
Whoops!
3
We paid over 150bb and got....?
Let's cancel, and pay them another 150bb.
Somewhere, somehow, Trump has to start a war. It's the only way he can get rid of what's goingto happen to him if Mueller's investigation is allowed to come to a conclusion because you can bet everything you have that whatever it is it is total disaster for Trump and it you don't believe this you have been aseleep through all the machinations Trump has gone through so far to get rid of itl
War is all he has left. If he can can one started he can use it to declare the country on a wartime basis and therefore martial law. Martial law makes the president the equivalent of a dictator and as such he can then stop and do away with all investigations him and the evidence involved in them and no one will be able to stop him.
So he won't agree to Macron's request to keep the Iran deal gong because now that the North Korea ploy looks dim the Iran deal is all he has left. After the Iran agreement is canceled they will of course immediately get their nuclear weapon plans underway and he can then find some excuse to go to war with them because of this. Remember, this is the guy who told us how he loved the DACA kids and then threw them under the bus.
He will do anything to keep private and hidden his financial predicament and indebtedness to the Russians, and, I suspect, some interesting videos of him and soime laldies of the evening.
7
trump to Macron..."you're the son-in-law I've always wanted.'
6
Stop analyzing and just witness brilliance in action.
3
I hope that Doug Mills was going for "spookiest political picture of the decade" when shooting that image of Trump, Melania, Macron, and Brigitte. Trump with shovel in hand, all four walking in random directions, a crowd in the background. Melania must have taken special walking lessons. Heels like that would be good aerators for the lawn if she walked other than on her toes. Macron out for a walk looking for a good baguette. Brigitte on a fashion shoot.
May the tree be healthy and grow . . .
6
Though I sincerely hope our agreement with the Iranians stays in place...... the idea of the young egocentric French president who is determined to bend the will of our extremely erratic and not very bright president leaves me doubtful.... to put it mildly.
3
Better be James Bond if you want Trump’s attention
4
Who would trust either one of theses guys?
1
I don't think people realize what an achievement the Iran deal actually was. Not only does the agreement set aside the nuclear program with heavy restrictions for a decade, the lax in sanctions could usher in a more moderate generation of Iranians who will gain economic benefits and also receive consumer/cultural goods from the Western world.
I can't believe it is even up for debate to sacrifice this precious accord.
18
Fear not, it won't be:
"I can't believe it is even up for debate to sacrifice this precious accord."
It's lots of fun to preen and posture, but Trump will never cancel this deal.
1
Iran having nuclear capability does not destabilize the Middle East, rather it shifts the balance of power and that is something many people are afraid of. To be clear, the only country in the Middle East with nuclear capability is Israel and the U.S. provided those nuclear weapons. So right now Israel has the power and that power keeps Israel's many enemies at bay. If Iran had nuclear capability that power shifts - they balance each other out, much like Russia and the U.S. or Pakistan and India. Israel is allied with the U.S. as is Saudi Arabia and those two countries do not want Iran to have nuclear capability and so by extension the U.S. will do everything than can to block a power shift.
3
Trump is kidding himself, and others, to imagine that France, Germany, and the UK will back out of the Iran deal if Trump asks them to. I'm confident that Trump will grumble but approve the deal, or kick the can down the road.
If he doesn't, the results will be that Siemens (for example) will get the big deals that General Electric might have got, and that Iran will buy airplanes from AirBus rather than from Boeing. That will mean fewer jobs for the US workers that might have built those widgets for GE, or who might have built those airplanes for Boeing.
There are only two ways to avoid that, and I'm confident Trump will pick one of them: Approve the Iran deal, or (more likely) kick the can down the road.
3
I am very pleased he is here--he is needed. His perspective and presence are welcome. I wish him luck and all the best.
7
Marcon will get no deal. Trump only cares about two things, what his "base" and Fox news thinks. That's it. Couple this fact with Hawk-John Bolton and anyone can see the deal is doomed. Note that all of the other countries including China, Russian and Europe will NOT reimpose sanctions, leaving only the US isolated. Just like we are with the TPP Trade deal and the Paris Climate accords. Marcon will probably end up looking like a fool, for ever thinking he could work with President Trump. Experience shows that anyone that is involved with President Trumps "Deals" ends up getting burned.
9
It is a diplomatic tragedy that America is led by a president whose only goal is to undo everything that President Obama managed to accomplish. America and the world will suffer if Trump manages to withdraw America from the current nuclear deal with Iran.
The deal may not be perfect but Trump should not be able to throw this deal into the trash bin because of his own flawed thinking. European countries know that Trump is a poor student of world history and that is why leaders are coming to Washington to dissuade him from making a world-class mistake.
Iran signed the agreement and has kept to the terms by allowing IAEC inspectors who have said Iran has not violated the agreement. Now, we have Trump-a failing president-who wants to end it for no good reason except it was not his agreement.
Time for European leaders to recognize that Trump is not the real voice of America and to stand up,all of them, and support the Iranian agreement. Let Trump be the bad boy in the works, let him take on the responsibility of a renewed Iranian nuclear effort.
15
Let's try to be rational here and objectdive by taking Obama and Trump out of the discussion (is that even possible?) and look at the Iran deal on its own terms.
1. Do we (America) trust Iran to keep its promises?
Answer 1 :If we trusted them would we need inspections.
Answer 2: Can you name any country that has not broken treaties or agreements with other countries or nations (ok, so i put in "nations" to include American Indians)?
2: What does the U.S. get out of the agreement?
Answer 1: Still waiting for an answer
3: Are there any loopholes in te agreement?
Other than no inspections wherever Iran says we cannot inspect, and can tell us when we may and may not inspect - not really.
4. Did the agreement make the U.S.and Iran better friends.
Answer: Yes. well other than still threatening to destroy us as soon as possible, and only refer to America and the "Great Satan". So maybe a qualified "Not really"
5
Certainly Macron knows that whatever Trump tells him this week is worthless, Trump changes his mind with the wind.
Trump cannot be trusted at any level, he has no credibility, no integrity.
32
The good news for Macron is, Trump will agree with Macron for as long as Macron is sitting next to him and flattering him.
The bad news is, Trump will change his mind the next day on the flight home and deny ever agreeing to anything that he agreed to.
10
The Iran deal is doomed, as is the (fake) Macron-Trump bond. Nice try Macron, but Trump only chooses the worst option.
4
Reproduced below is Thomas Piketty's analysis of the bond between Macron and Trump
"It is customary to contrast Trump and Macron: on one hand the vulgar American businessman with his xenophobic tweets and global warming scepticism; and on the other, the well-educated, enlightened European with his concern for dialogue between different cultures and sustainable development. All this is not entirely false and rather pleasing to French ears. But if we take a closer look at the policies being implemented, one is struck by the similarities.
In particular, Trump, like Macron, has just had very similar tax reforms adopted. In both cases, these constitute an incredible flight in the direction of fiscal dumping in favour of the richest and most mobile."
A cynical interpretations is that Macron (a former GS banker) is a polished version of Trump. A wolf in sheep's clothing.
A less cynical interpretation is that both the sophisticated Frenchman and the vulgar American business man are forced by globalization to pursue the same identical economic policies .
Your pick
More numbers at
http://piketty.blog.lemonde.fr/2017/12/12/trump-macron-same-fight
2
Don't know the reason they seem to be bonding but my French friends are not happy with their election choice!
I would be willing to trade presidents!
If Macron can change DJT's mind on the environment, it would be a "miracle". Pruitt is right there at his elbow!
President Macron did not work for Goldman Sachs but for Rothschild -- big difference.
1
And the United States did not collaborate with NAZI Germany in WW2. Bigger difference.
Several years back, the IAEA suspected that Iran was hiding nuclear weapons, or their makings, somewhere at its huge Parchin military installation (just SE of Tehran). Iran said "OK, pick any Parchin facility you want, and you can inspect it to your heart's content. You don't even have to tell us which one until you get there and we head out to inspect it."
So the IAEA did, and its inspectors found nothing. While they were at Parchin, though, the inspectors became suspicious about some other facility, and wished they'd picked that one instead. The IAEA asked Iran if it could come back and take a look at that other facility. Iran said: "No. You were entirely free to pick that facility instead of the one you did pick, but you didn't."
Maybe there was something bad at that other facility; maybe not. I think "not," since the IAEA inspectors could have designated that one instead.
On the disagreement over Iran's missile technology, the agreement prohibits Iran from using, testing, etc. any missile that's capable of carrying a nuclear bomb. The US interprets that to mean any missile that's big enough to carry a nuclear bomb, even if Iran is using, testing, etc. the missile for some other purpose -- for example, to carry non-nuclear weapons. Iran argues that using, testing, etc. a missile to carry non-nuclear weapons is OK. Iran's view is what the negotiators intended; the US' view is what got written.
Maybe Trump will work with Macron and find a way to preserve the Iran deal. Hopefully Trump was blowing off steam when he was slamming the Iran deal. While the deal that was worked out with Iran is not perfect it beats the current alternatives.
6
Could be a model for an Asian version but that is probably too much to ask!
There’s nothing to stop Trump from tearing it up. He’s old, he won’t be re-elected and he may be facing jail for his collusion. Plus a lot of mouth breathers are whispering in his ear “they think you’re stupid and weak”
We’re doomed.
34
So the deal brought cheap oil to Europe, prohibited inspections in iran is the mostly likely place to build nuclear weapons (that would be anywhere Iran chose to label a "military instillation '), and the leaders boasting of their plans to destroy us, "The Great Satan".
And this is a good deal?
PS. Iran does not have to build nuclear weapons. They can just buy them.
2
But Trump's attention span is so short and his awareness is so situational that Macron will have to shadow him for days until the decision is made, just to keep Trump's mind focused on the task. Maybe Macron could set up a Faux Fox News set in an apartment, like Cramer did when he interviewed George's squirrel.
3
Trump seems to demand constant reassurance of Loyalty. Macro risks appearing to be a Trump Stooge to the rest of the EU and the world.
5
If Trump can help Macron stave off some economic impact of actually dealing seriously with Iran - because French industry and the corrupt French administrative state has been flouting sanctions for decades - then Trump will so
But, only if Macron can join him in ensuring the end of the sickos who run Iran.
No free lunch with Trump - Obama was free lunch for all our enemies.
2
If memory serves, France supported the United States at a critical time some years ago. Is it too much to hope for some more urgent, crucial guidance in our time of need?
5
Macron must be thinking that Trump will make rational decisions based on evidence and reason. Bonne chance, monsieur.
24
Do you really believe that? Do you also think China's President Xi is that naive too?
International diplomacy, like any other important social interaction, requires playing your cards close to your chest. Sometimes playing your cards requires swagger and bully, other times ego stroking. In all cases, you must hide your true intentions, even with real allies.
Furthermore, there is the aphorism keep your friends close, your enemies closer.
When he’s with Trump, Macron has the vibe of an experienced psychiatric worker.
13
@Paul Ashton:
Which is exactly what's called for when anywhere in the remote vicinity of the ersatz POTUS.
1
Maybe Trump and Macron will arm wrestle to resolve the disagreement? Whoever blinks first has to suffer Twitter humiliation and acquiescence. Trump has never met a deal he hasn’t wanted to renege. Maybe Trump wins because his wife is hotter. What If Trump pulls out and the other signatories stay in? Does that then become a reverse NATO treaty? BTW is anyone checking on Israel’s nukes? Just sayin.’ Dealing with Trump must cause headaches. Let’s hope it doesn’t cause permanent ones. Macron doesn’t stand a chance! I think he knows this already.
1
Macron thinks he has a bond with Trump? Doesn't he know that bonding is a two-way street? Sacre bleu!
10
@Suzy:
Bondage would be more apropos -- perhaps a straight jacket would fit Trump the best.
1
I cannot help but think what Trump must be thinking when a man half his age who married a woman twice Melanias age
6
It's purely gross immaturity fused with co-mingling, mutually reinforcing acute narcissism and deep, deep insecurity.
Sad. Bigly Sad.
3
Times reports "...there was room for the president to personally invite only four people..." to Tuesday's State Dinner. My guesses: Sean and Jill Hannity, and Michael and Lori Flynn!
9
Reality Man:
I'm surprised that there was room for four others, given Trump's massive and all consuming ego . . . The guests may want to look into portable oxygen supplies. And wading boots. High tops!
1
North Korea demonstrated to the world that even under the most crushing sanctions it is still possible for a country to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran is less coordinated than North Korea but they are much more resource rich. They could probably do it.
The gamble is that with the sanctions removed the Iranian people will become accustomed to the trappings of modern life and will not be willing to tolerate severe sanctions in the future if Iran does go back to nuclear weapons development once the deal expires. Killing the deal now will kill any chance they might have for acquiring a taste for the benefits of integration into the global economy.
Unfortunately, the deal was also authored at a time when the world's leaders were operating under the assumption that the liberal era was never going to end and that an increasingly integrated world would be on the horizon. Now it looks like that might not happen and the world might instead be divided up into rival spheres and economic blocs who will compete over dwindling resources. Even the Europeans have talked of acquiring their own common nuclear deterrent.
In such a world, the Iranian people might actually prefer nukes, no matter what the cost. And with the sanctions removed their country will be richer than it would have been otherwise, and it will be easier for them to acquire them.
I don't think the deal should be scrapped, but it probably should be adjusted, if possible.
Interesting times ahead for the world.
1
I doubt Macron will have any impact on Trump's decision to pull the US out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. Trump doesn't understand the details or implications of his actions such as the fact that not only will Iran be free to continue their nuclear weapons program, but North Korea will never trust the US to keep it's word should they agree to a similar deal. Good luck ;-)
12
Quite probably there will not develop any lasting successes, concerning those concrete issues at hand, out of this state visit.
Nevertheless, I consider it truly and existentially important, to tirelessly strive for civilized and meaningful conversations between representatives of two nations, which laid the modern groundwork for us to live in free democracies under the rule of law.
Those last principles - however temporarily(!) deformed, abused or otherwise tarnished by our destructive human creativity they have become - are still worth any international effort defending and working for.
4
Rather than accepting the prevailing US view that Iran is a brutal theocratic tyrant, Europeans see a complicated mix of democratic institutions caught in reformist struggles with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other radicals overseen by supreme, religious leaders. Beyond the central policy point that European sanctions should support democracy, European Union members are considering the pros and cons of future Iran sanctions.
2
Exactly what fantasy democratic process did you imagine might be taking place in Iran?
3
Macron today is playing the role of Neville Chamberlain 1938: appeasing a fascist (wonna be) dictator.
14
Somehow or other, Trump has non-awful relationships with the leaders of Canada, France, Japan, Israel, China (sort of), Russia (though that's unsavory at best), and a few others. If he keeps this up, we may have to cancel WWIII.
3
Interesting that NYT has been negative on Macron. The strikes in France are fizzling. Given that the unions in France are less representative than in the US this is not very surprising. Envy? Perhaps.
7
Any moderate overtures to Trump will be interpreted in his own mind as rightful deference. Macron and other world leader should just save it until we can get a functioning adult back in the White House. If we are shunned on the global stage right now it is richly deserved.
22
Why should France not deal with the president that you elected if we can advance our agenda? Waiting for Americans to be French is not very productive.
9
Seems we did have to wait long before the French became Germans.
2
It is interesting how petty Donald Trump is breaking with tradition and not inviting any Democrats to attend the state dinner, typical petty and childish act by Donald Trump diminishing the Presidency.
89
Petty, tacky, small, unaware of any kind of protocol is trump....Do not expect trump to ever be classy, smart, gracious, or intelligent....You can't change the spots on a dolt. He has not only diminished the Presidency but all the US.
12
Good luck Mr. Macron. Am sure Trump will use Melania as his "Jackie" Charm. Love going to Mount Vernon a la Jackie Kennedy. Is there anything Trump is original at?
5
Perhaps the original sin? Then again, I say that with envy. not scorn.
1
Imagine the juxtaposition, an elegant, cultured Gentleman and Donald.
Now THAT is embarrassing. Thanks, GOP.
14
Phyliss, it is rather nauseating to see trump next to Macron....Macron, young, good looking, intelligent, erudite, well respected statesman world wide. Then trump; well, uh?.........
5
Your main page subhead speaks of a Macron bond with Trump. The only bond Mr. Trump seems to have are with certain members of his family, and Mr. Putin and Mr. Hannity. I'd say all others are at risk.
6
Dear Emmanuel,
Sorry to say, "We don't want you here." It's not that your from France and that we've got anything against the French. We love the French and our European Allies. It's just that we hate Donald Trump and we hate anybody that would put up with his policies on climate change, and tax cuts for the rich, endangering our Social Security and Medicare, etc.
It is time for Europe to strike out on your own.
Sincerely,
Steve
PS. While you are in Washington you'll get a chance to meet Melania parents. Do us a favor, take them back to France with you.
13
Actually,we do often love France, but not always the French.
3
If Trump kills the deal, then the Iranians can restart their nuclear programs. Hillary and Kerry got China, Russia, and the Europeans (who want to sell the Iranians airplanes) to agree to sanctions that brought Iran to the table. Good luck getting ANY of these countries back on a new sanctions deal if he blows this one. The Iranians get their nuclear development restrictions lifted and don't get economically punished for it. We get further alienated from the major countries of the world. Great negotiating, Mr. Trump.
9
Risking something much worse than the status quo for a very low probability outcome of something only marginally better isn’t the art of the deal, it’s pig headed delusional insanity. Right now the probability that Trump will listen to the level headed European leaders over his own self appointed warhawks (Bolton and Pompeo) is also very low, but you have to hand it to Macron and Merkel for trying.
10
President Macron is playing the ''game'' of international diplomacy. ( since he is being stalled on his reforms for the domestic front )
He will do the 30 second handshakes and smile for the camera and then go back home having accomplished nothing, than other to elevate him on the international stage.
The world is simply waiting until the U.S. President has been replaced.
10
Caution Macron:
Don't bond with Trump
6
Bonding with trump sounds too much like those science fiction movies where weird alien life forms take over human bodies. I can see Macron shambling off the plane now: "Take. Me. To. Your. Taco. Bell."
1
That's just what Trump loves. He behaves like an irrational brat having tantrums until the adults come crawling to him begging him to "do a favor" and behave as he should in any normal world. Then he expects everyone to thank him and praise him for not acting like an insane idiot.
I for one am sick of this, and embarrassed for our nation.
15
‘Bond?’ Mr. Trump is incapable of forming attachments.
30
I think it's way too much to expect Donald Trump to be "reasonable' on all this, considering the new foreign policy players he's added to his Administration, Pompeo and Bolton.
Oh, he'll relish all the pomp and circumstance of this state visit, which he clearly relishes because it allows him to puff up and appear presidential.
But given his penchant for grievances--always thinking he's got the short end of the stick, I think in the end he'll tank the Iran deal and keep out of the Paris agreement (after all, if he wants more money from the Kochs, that's the price).
It's been said repeatedly that going off to the DRNK having just ripped up the Iran deal yet expecting trust for a new one is totally irrational.
Which seems to be par for the course--but at least would give Trump somebody else to blame, tweet at, and threaten.
15
Offer Trump a couple of prime locations for his hotels, across from the Eiffel Tower and the south of France. Trust me he won't say no, no matter what Bolton or Hannity say. Greed is good in his world.
14
The French had it right on Iraq and we decided to eat Freedom Fries. I hope DJT takes the time to listen and understand what Macron has to say.
6
I fear that Macron's efforts to support the Iran deal will only exacerbate Trump's
desire to scuttle the agreement. If there is any suggestion that Trump is
giving in to a European head of state, and a younger whippersnapper at that, Trump's ego is likely to drive him to dig in his heels even further. He will not
allow Macron to rain on his parade.
5
It’s nice of President Macron to visit President Trump; unfortunately, the title is all that they have in common. Mr. Macron should be wary of Mr. Trump in that the latter has a habit of saying one thing and then doing another (e.g., lying). A brilliant move to use Fox to “broadcast” his views, knowing that there was a good chance that Trump would see them. But unless Macron can find a way to make Trump believe he’s the winner in all of this, nothing will come of the pomp at the White House, only the same circumstance of busniess as usual.
3
“I don’t have a plan B for Iran.”—French President Emmanuel Macron.
Don’t worry, sir. Neither does Donald Trump.
74
You are a Red Sox fan I can get behind (says the Yankees fan). Leave it to Trump to bring us together.....
6
Mr. Trump has no cerebral sense of the world, so no amount of logical reasoning is going to persuade him. He views everything through the lens of his ego; hopefully President Macron understands this and will formulate his argument accordingly.
The monumental consequences for pulling out of this Iran deal will extend to our negotiations with North Korea, jeopardizing not only the U.S., but the entire world. But where is our American leadership? Why are we left to hang our hopes on another country's president? It's not only the republicans who are being silent...where the hay are the democrats? With mid-term elections coming up in seven months, might this not be an opportunity to demonstrate some leadership abilities? If this thing goes south, elections could end up being the least of everyone's concerns.
Just because democrats are in the congressional minority, doesn't mean that they have no methods of influencing public opinion, which in turn could influence Trump's decisions. By challenging Trump's ego, he can be manipulated to change course. But the democrat leadership needs to stop grumbling under their breaths and start acting like leaders rather than as put upon stepchildren.
Preventing further proliferation of nuclear weapons shouldn't be weighed in political terms to begin with; it's universally beneficial to everyone no matter their lean. It's imperative enough to be a stand alone priority; we shouldn't risk its success by drawing in other grievances.
5
The suave, urbane French president attempting to have a reasonable conversation with the boorish, oafish POTUS boggles the mind. While Macron speaks near-flawless English, Trump speaks not a word of French. Alpha meets Omega - what could possibly go wrong?
53
The problem is the following premise:
"Mr. Macron hoped to use his unusual bond with the American president..."
Every so-called "bond" that this president has is unusual. Monsieur Macron can join the queue.
4
Let's hope President Macron has more success with saving the Iran Nuclear Accord than others. Perhaps he can offer to bring the Bastille Day parade to Washington on July 4 in a deal sealed with the reprise of the famous words by an American colonel (misattributed to Gen. Pershing) on July 4, 1917, "Nous voila, Lafayette!" (Lafayette we are here!) and "Donald Trump, we are coming here!"
1
Who would enter into an agreement with this madman. I wouldn't buy a mattress from this shyster. It's not like he has an alternative to this deal, it's just that Obama was part of the negotiations and that should be reason enough to scrap a 7 country agreement that did exactly what it was meant to do. And, as I said, who would trust any agreement brokered by someone as juvenile as he is? It practically guarantees he will be delinquent when it comes to holding up his end of the bargain. If I were the Iranians I'd call his bluff and then marvel at the spectacle of him trying to negotiate a nuclear deal with North Korea at the same time he is breaking the nuclear agreement with Iran out of sheer pique.
30
President Macron knows flattery will work as does Abe , Putin etc.
Our great deal maker will always follow his ego , he has no interest in the bestinterests of our country or the world.
Bonne Chance Monsieur Macron a more peaceful world is in your hands.
16
Macron is comfortable with hos cordial relations with Trump and his agreement to disagree. He also knows that Trump is not a push over but can be reasoned with. What Macron said in his interview with the highly respected Chris Wallace of Foxnews, son of mike Wallace that he too would like to see Iran NOT test and develop ballistic ICBMs. Macron is trying to mediate a better Nuclear agreement with Iran and Trump is also trying to make a better deal that will ensure peace. Trump ultimately will get it right where it should have been and the Persian people will be ultimately happy.
6
When has anyone ever successfully reasoned with Trump?
1
Macron should take his case directly to President Hannity. Trump is just a puppet for Fox News.
Or if Hannity won't take Macron's call, maybe a phone-in to Fox & Friends will help.
74
you mean putin, not hannity.
Trump threatening to kill the Iran deal is the equivalent a Wild West gunslinger taunting some cowpuncher who only wants to mind his own business, to 'reach for it' so he can be gunned down all the more legitimately - ah! Good old American diplomacy.
1
Perhaps Macron is a sunny optimist by nature, but as others before him, he will get sideswiped or burned. Best to ride this one out monsieur, until the U.S. wakes up from this nightmare and Trump is gone from office.
There is no rhyme or reason to Trump’s actions. He is mercurial and capricious. I have no idea why Macron would even waste his time here.
9
So Mister Genius, “the art of the deal”, is going to mess this thing up too.
Yeash, when will he be gone ?
8
If Macron wants to reach Trump, he best go through Putin.
7
There is only one reason that Trump hates the Iran deal. It was signed by President Obama.
174
Trump's soulmate, Netanyahu, also hates the Iran deal. Israel has an inordinate amount of influence over weak-minded US presidents.
7
Good luck with that! Ask Me. Abe.
1
I got news for Macron: Do not try to persuade or influence trump on anything. He is not a rational person, has zero knowledge of geopolitical affairs and as we have all seen he takes his orders from Putin or Netanyahu. Trump has no original thoughts or external reference points and will never do anything decent. Mr. Macron you are wasting your time. You are too classy to get involved with the reality tv game show host so-called presidency.
9
So let's see how the logic of the "Great Negotiator" works. He's threatening to break the agreement the United States signed with Iran, then going off to North Korea to negotiate an agreement with Kim Jung un who happens to be as big a pathological liar as Trump. Reality television at its best!
4
He should be talking to Hannity, not Trump. Why not go straight to the policy maker?
9
Will Trump try to get him back for "the handshake"?
4
If Macron wants to influence Trump he should skip the WH and schedule a meeting with Hannity.
6
He will be convinced to save the deal for the 15 minutes he is with Macron, make a big announcement and then change his mind the next day when Bannon gets to him. Of course he will deny ever agreeing to it.
38
I don't understand why someone like Trump would be elected as the president of US, in 21th century!! Is there something wrong?! Maybe the version of democracy has been expired!!
Trump must know, bullying other country doesn't make the world safer.
9
many of are still struggling to understand it
2
And it refers to?
Be aware Mr. Macron. Donald Trump lies and changes his mind...a lot.
But, good luck.
9
The tea party cons are not paleo- or neo- cons. The only treaty acceptable to them in a world of nation-states is total capitulation. Since, w/out a war, neither NKorea nor Iran will sign an Instrument of Surrender on an aircraft carrier, only military escalation, arms race, and war can result. America’s heroes: Trump, Palin, Rice, Bush II, Bolton, Bannon, Wolfowitz, Pompeo, Rumsfeld, etc. insure that USA will escalate military expenditure until it has exhausted any American greatness worth saving and USA is a historical footnote. But these are the people USA loves; so be it.
3
Let's be honest, the JCPOA is, for the most part, a gentlemen's agreement. Iran has nuclear capability and for the world to think that they're going to keep that genie bottled up forever is naive. So the world decides to start with the soft approach by bringing Iran back into the fold of the world economy. Their economy begins to flourish and they start to see that if they play fair the world will return it in kind. If the President jumps back into the JCOPA it is going to be next to impossible for him to demand that North Korea give up their nuclear arsenal and capability. Remember, at the time the JCOPA was signed there was absolutely no possibility that North Korea would ever come to the negotiating table.
27
The problem with the deal is that the Iranian population will not ascribe their newfound prosperity to having stopped their nuclear program, but as a vindication of it; they will rightly conclude that the only reason the West folded was because they started building the bomb. Could you imagine the US paying them back billions in frozen assets under any other scenario? Western weakness taught the whole world a lesson: nuclear blackmail pays. And when blackmail pays, it will be repeated.
To those that say ‘yeah, but it stopped Iran from building the bomb’, the perennial excuse for this deal, I answer: it does not stop Iran from building the bomb; it merely delays this by a few years, in exchange for billions; we essentially repaid them for their program. Now the ayatollahs just need to be patient for a few years till they get the bomb; and then we will see if a nuclear-armed Iran becomes more malleable...
2
"the nuclear deal was signed by the United States,"
the above statement is misleading because the nuclear deal was never ratified by the United State Senate. Another attempt to make Trump look bad. (no, I didn't vote for him).
1
Trump is also using Macron's visit to set the stage to invite Putin for a lower level visit. An official state visit, complete with dinner at the White House -- what Macron is getting -- is the highest level. Trump is probably hoping to get away with having Putin for a lower level visit, for example a simple meeting in the Oval Office. The full formal military greeting, which Trump apparently got in Paris, would only irritate Putin anyway. Except for nuclear weapons, in reality Russia is in a very weak global military position. Technically an Oval Office meeting is meant to be lower profile, but in Putin's case any visit at all will cast a bright spotlight on why Trump acts so beholden to Putin.
1
Lets hope Macron can talk trump out of his expensive military parade. It was there parade that got him all in a fit to have one here. no other reason. Most Americans wouldn't care if it was being paid for by trump or his rich friends, well except those who have to give up a day off ,meant for them, to march in it.
President Macron should have scheduled his trip for May12th. He needs to be the last person Trump talks to before Trump goes thumbs up or down. After Macron leaves, Bolton has weeks to get to Trump and turn him yet to a No vote.
At the least, Macron should schedule an appearance on Fox for May 12th.
Our President is unwelcome at a funeral, tweets inanities, watches way too much TV during his 'working day' and can not retain simple thought for long. The last word uttered is 'best' for him.
How inept does our President have to be before reason prevails? Heaven forbid he should read something or make a plan. But hey, the ratings are great.
175
Elisabeth, I'm with you all the way. But there's no crying over spilled milk. You and your countryman/women knew(!?) what you were getting into. ideology seem to be important, but it can be left by the wayside
2
Exactly, Macron needed to be the last voice Trump hears. It is a terrrible state of affairs to have an incompetent person as president, one who must be handled, flattered and cajoled into rationality. The most dangerous aspect of Mr. Trump in charge of any final decision is that he apparently cannot retain information and tends to stubbornly go back to his original mischaracterization when he does decide. Thus, the last person in his ear exerts undue influence if that person suggests to Trump he was right to demonize the agreement in his content free rants on the campaign.
2
How does any world leader talk to Trump or try to convince him of anything? When Trump's aides tried to explain the Bill of Rights to Trump, Trump spent the time pulling his lower lip and rolling his eyes, like a bored five year old. Trump is too impatient, too immature, and too ignorant to understand his own Constitution. How will he understand anything Macron says?
71
Marcon can't "persuade" Trump because there is no there there. Trump doesn't have the slightest idea of what he wants, what are realistic goals, and no inkling of the complexities of the situation.
The U.S. Right wing hates Iran because that country gave us the finger — with good reason — back in their revolutionary days. Idiots like John Bolton, who think that the only way to get people to respect us is by bombing them, think that they will get one of the world's oldest countries to eat humble pie, as pushed on them by the "exceptional" American imperialists. Meanwhile, we're trying to play both sides of never-ending Sunni/Shia conflict, and continuously betraying whoever sides with us for the short term.
I think they've noticed.
Better to have actual diplomats, and an actual diplomatic strategy, which continues to work at liberalizing Iranian society so it will eventually reject it's own hard liners.
But that doesn't work with the Endless War crowd that's getting rich from Military-Industrial investment — and Trump understands none of it.
119
Emmanuel Macron Heads to White House to Lobby Trump on Iran
[ Why do I not take this assertion seriously? The French President strikes me as too self-concerned to worry about any matter that does not directly concern France. Iran is an indirect concern, no more. ]
Plan B for Iran would be attacks. That is what was always wanted anyway by Israel and its friends among Democrats and Republicans alike.
That is very likely to spin out of control. Iran has four times the population of any other place the US has attacked, and an especially defensible geography, and a location on the world's windpipe of oil supply, a location located in mountains not open spaces. US war games have suggested strikes could quickly become Marine landings along that coast, followed by deeper operations to defend the landings. Studies of air strikes have suggested ground operations as "raids" needed to finish and confirm the strikes against hardened and even underground locations.
This would be a serious war.
If it is true as the US has claimed that there is real risk Taiwan from China and to Ukraine and the Baltic states from Russia, and North Korea generally, then this commitment of US power in Iran would be an invitation for those other problems to spin out of control too. Even the US cannot fight everyone everywhere at the same time at a serious level of combat, as opposed to drones hitting defenseless targets in remote places.
There are other serious problems hanging on the edge, such as the Pakistani "Islamic Bomb" wavering on the sidelines of the US war in Afghanistan. Once the lid blows off "stability" with major war, anything can happen, and some probably will. That is how wars are.
13
"The US is considered to be the greatest threat to peace in the world (...)"(WIN/Gallup International)
An obvious truth obviously lost in the fairy tales peddled by our Western "free press", the most jingoist and warmongering of them all, one which will have to be pacified asap.
3
Mark--you sound a little too eager for a real war to break out between Iran and Israel.
2
Save the jet fuel. Why talk to Trump? His word will change if Hannity or the boys at Fox suggest an alterative view.
Anyway, Trump is finding ways to downplay or cancel the meeting with "Rocket Man". He is too busy right now. Check back over the summer.
15
Macron’s only hope at getting Daycare Donnie to pay attention is to give him another military parade and get him excited; the he’ll sign anything.
144
And the next day he will change his mind!
16
If you could take him to a strip joint that would work even better.
It worked for Putin.
4
There is no such thing as ``bonding`` with a pathological narcissist. Trump, like Narcissus, only bonds with his own reflection. One has to wonder if Macron really understands that Trump is getting out of the Iran deal because it is something Obama did, and not because of anything else. The only way to change Trump`s obsession with undoing what Obama did is to out-manipulate him. It is fair to assume Macron would be way out of his league if he tries to out-manipulate a psychopath like Trump.
45
Someone should inform Macron that you can't "bond" with a demonstrably irrational narcissist.
82
I truly hope Macron can sell Trump on staying on as an active partner concerning the Iran Nuclear Deal. However, the French president unfortunately is not a major player in this game of political intrigue. In the end, Trump will listen to John Bolton and Pompeo with underhanded and behind-the-scenes coercion from Netanyahu. I fear the words of Mattis and even Kelly will be rendered moot. There is Congress, true. But under McConnell and Ryan it remains weak and spineless. We'll see how this pans out. I still contend that as ruthless as Iran has proven itself to be, keeping its finger off of any nuclear button is the one right thing the global community can do. And let us not forget the message it will send to North Korea if the Trump administration succumbs to reckless decisions and behavior.
15
I deeply hope our President will listen and understand.
3
Nope! Macron is trying to save the French banks which are now in trouble because of the Rusal sanctions. It is explained here: https://www.bestcashcow.com/us-treasury-department-eases-sanctions-on-ru...
He and Merkel have given up trying to save the Iran deal. If they even raise it with Trump it will be a much lower priority.
3
The world needs more leaders like Macron. Unlike Trump, who simply wants to use Iran as a bogeyman, Macron wants to uphold the agreement which keeps Iran in check.
The Iran deal was signed by multiple nations and keeps the world safe. Trump is one person and should not jeopardize the rest of us.
70
"Trump is one person and should not jeopardize the rest of us"
Why would Trump sabotage a deal work out by a far more intelligent President?
what a disappointment that Macron who had an opportunity to have him and has country of France show alternative leadership to Trump's anti-environment, anti-diplomacy, pro-authoritarianism, pro-weapons oriented policies. Instead, he served as Trump's lapdog on the recent stupid bombing of Syria, and now he is serving to give international legitimacy to Trump's regime. While I'm glad that the French are increasingly angry at him, its an opportunity wasted and the world, and the US, is worse off for it.
8
I think Macron is well advised to focus on one problem at a time, and to bring everything to bear on the most important.
From France's perspective, blowing up the Iran deal and the war likely to follow that is the most serious problem. Of course there are other serious problems with Trump, and some of those may be even more serious to other people, but this is the President of France.
If he can fix the Iran issue, then the next can be his focus.
3
Macron would be far wiser to go convince the "Fox and Friends" cast since they're apparently setting our foreign and domestic policy now.
304
No World Leader can trust Trump. His word is meaningless. He is totally under Putin's control.
162
True to some extent. Except, Putin supports the Iran deal.
1
''He is totally under Putin's control.''
Utter rubbish and proof that indeed propaganda works. You say this because others, equally ignorant, parrot this frankly unproven paranoid MSM McCarthyist garbage.
No doubt you view proof as unnecessary just as we lack proof for almost all the not proven accusations thrown around. A DNC version of 'Info wars' and 'Michelle is a trans rubbish' by Alex Jones. The only PROVEN hacking was that by we the US on our ALLY Germany's Angela Merkel which we found out via wikileaks. Just as we found out where the rich keep their money they don't pay in taxes (Panama papers) or that US troops shot at civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan from helicopters but these TRUTHS are called 'weaponized truths' unlike the loose accusations made by those like you who buy anything the MSM say (called propaganda) whereby the mere repetition of an accusation become's proof; as Goebbles once said: 'tell a lie often enough and it becomes the truth'.
And since wikileaks and Julius Assange told us 'weaponized truths' about the DNC sabotaging Sanders (proven by the firing of Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the book by Donna Brazile) and since the present oligarchic Democrat Party think democracy was getting one 'perfect candidate' (Hillary) who needs democratic competition (Warren, Sanders).
We just broke international law by launching missiles at Syria AGAIN without them attacking us, proof or getting permission from the UN which even GW did, although he lied too.
1
Given Trump's "style", having the public think that Macron convinced Trump to save the Iran Deal is certain death for the Iran Deal.
21
There will only be one adult in the room. Melania likes him. He is fluent in English. He is well liked in his country.
And trump will be there too.
Macron understands the importance of maintaining a nuclear free Iran. He understands how monumental the achievement of president Obama and both Hillary and John Kerry was in forging the deal with 6 nations to denuclearize Iran. He understands how bringing Iran into the international community is a benefit to everyone and decreases radicalism in the Middle East.
But trump will be there too. He does not understand the Sunday funny papers.
Macron know that if he bites his lip and tells trump he looks good in that suit, and asks if he is losing weight the dotard will do whatever he says needs to be done.
205
Well delivered, Johnny.
1
Macron must feel like he's trying to deal with a not-very-bright toddler.
99
Because he is.
Good for Potus. He has grown into the job!
3
Perhaps an additional 20 lbs.
18
If his job was to tweet a lot, you might be correct. but its not. even someone in his own party said trump was an adult working at an adult day care center and need supervision. I think they got it right
9
Steve, are you kidding or just plain deluded?
17