Posted on 11/18/2014 8:31:10 AM PST by Tailgunner Joe
Nothing better showcases Washington’s confusion over foreign policy than the idea that – as part of a U.S.-Iran nuclear deal – Iran would ship much or all of its enriched uranium to Russia, and Russia would then process it for Iranian civilian usage.
Were the U.S.-led “P5+1” negotiators (the five permanent U.N. Security Council members plus Germany) to reach a deal with Iran with this provision, the United States would subjugate its national security and that of its allies to two U.S. adversaries, both of which are undermining U.S. interests around the world.
In addition, Washington would further legitimize Tehran and Moscow as good-faith actors that adhere to global norms and can be valuable partners with the United States, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding.
The proposal for Iran to ship its enriched uranium to Russia, which is under consideration in the negotiations that restart this week and face a Nov. 24 deadline, is designed to assure the world that Iran cannot quickly upgrade its enriched uranium to a nuclear-grade level in a quick race to a bomb. That the United States can trust Iran and Russia to play it straight, however, seems naive at best.
All in all, the U.S. quest for a deal, as reflected in its negotiations in recent months, bespeaks a posture that makes Washington look desperate and, thus, makes a good deal from the U.S. standpoint less likely.
In the interim U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, in recent negotiations over a final one, and in other high-level U.S.-Iranian communications, President Barack Obama and other top U.S. officials have back-tracked on a host of previous U.S. positions.
For instance, Washington now accepts Tehran’s right to enrich uranium and to retain thousands of working centrifuges; ignores the ties between Iran’s enrichment program and both its ballistic missile program and any previous weaponization efforts; and links a nuclear deal to the promise of U.S.-Iranian cooperation on other issues that presumably would help both Washington and Tehran.
Washington seems to believe that, to answer the question Henry Kissinger famously posed, Iran wants to be a traditional country, not a revolutionary cause. Washington dangles the prospect of long-term U.S.-Iranian détente that would balance Tehran’s interests against those of U.S. allies in Jerusalem and Riyadh, integrate Iran more fully into the global system, and promote more Iranian prosperity.
Iran, however, offers little evidence that it thinks the same way. It acts not as a global citizen but, instead, as an outlaw nation by destabilizing its neighbors, sponsoring terrorism, repeating its threats to annihilate Israel and maintaining its “death to America” chants at public gatherings. Through its hegemonic activities, Middle East expert Lee Smith wrote recently for the Weekly Standard, Iran now “boasts control of four Arab capitals – Baghdad, Beirut, Damascus, and Sanaa.”
As for broader Iranian prosperity, the interim nuclear deal significantly addressed that issue by providing enough sanctions relief to lift Iran’s economy off its back, spurring growth, slashing inflation and strengthening Iran’s currency. Tehran’s economic incentive to relinquish its nuclear quest is now much smaller.
Nevertheless, U.S. negotiators proceed apace, hoping that Tehran will see the world through Washington’s eyes and, now, also hoping that Russia will help secure a final deal through the proposal described above.
U.S. trust for Russia makes little sense, however, as its reckless leader seems intent on flouting international norms, testing Washington and its allies, and, when finding them wanting, expanding Moscow’s reach.
In recent months, Vladimir Putin has annexed Crimea, spurred Russian-backed rebels to seize more of Ukraine, and repeatedly violated cease-fire agreements by sending troops and weaponry across its border. He intimidated Ukraine into postponing a landmark trade treaty with the European Union.
Now, with the West responding with mild sanctions and empty threats, Putin is eying further prey. He’s threatening the Baltic States of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and, in particularly reckless and brazen displays, he recently sent Russian strategic bombers along the U.S. and Canadian coasts, nuclear bombers on a practice cruise-missile attack off Canada’s coast, and a submarine to Sweden’s waters.
Russia’s actions in Ukraine, NATO’s top commander said recently, “represent a clear decision by Moscow to reject the fundamental principles that have shaped international security over the past 25 years.”
So, for a final nuclear deal, the United States is considering a proposal to enable the outlaw nation of Russia to work with the outlaw nation of Iran to prevent the latter from developing nuclear weaponry.
That seems more than a little risky.
Obama is going to drop sanctions on Russia next Spring to get the Iran deal. Count on it.
Now, Congress can impose its own sanctions on Russia. They should do so without haste to prevent such a deal by Obama. They do this by adding Russia (and its closest allies Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrygstan) to the state sponsor of terror list. We also put intense pressure on China to cut relations with Russia and to behave themselves in regards to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Spartley islands.
“We also put intense pressure on China to cut relations with Russia and to behave themselves in regards to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Spartley islands.”
And how do we do that, exactly???
I don’t know if you have noticed, but China is holding all of the cards when it comes to trade, and supporting the dollar.
Malevolent dictators dedicated to America's destruction, of course.
Thilly boyth.
Indeed, on ChiCom TV yesterday, Russian and Chinese talking heads were lecturing the U.S. about how foolish we are to annoy them by talking about human rights and the Ukraine.
Those talking heads were working hard to impress us with how America's arrogance is pissing up a rope.
Wonder who fed them their diet of confidence?
A Shia nuclear bomb to counter the Sunni nuclear bomb (Pakistan’s)? what’s wrong with that?
First of all Iran is a Islamic Theocracy and Pakistan is not. Second of all Pakistan is the USA’s ally and Iran is our enemy. Finally, Iran’s nukes are not to be aimed at Pakistan, they are for wiping Israel off the map.
I shouldn’t have to tell you any of this.
Isn't Ez 38 a little bloody? It's not going to end well for them, but there might be some real hassles before that happens.
Interesting that even many who call themselves Christian are oblivious as to what is being put together and what will soon happen. Man will not alter God's plan.
Wow! Such a time we are witnessing.
Russia’s actions in Ukraine, NATO’s top commander said recently, “represent a clear decision by Moscow to reject the fundamental principles that have shaped international security over the past 25 years.” So, for a final nuclear deal, the United States is considering a proposal to enable the outlaw nation of Russia to work with the outlaw nation of Iran to prevent the latter from developing nuclear weaponry.
Correct
In my view we are moving closer and closer to the rapture.
The second positive consequence would be to cripple the economies of leading American enemies, such as Russia and Venezuela. Oil and gas account for 68 percent of Russian exports and 45 percent of government tax revenues. The recent decline in the oil price has already provoked the finance minister to say that Russia may not be able to increase military spending next year. The devaluation of the ruble has helped to offset some of the revenue impact of falling oil prices, but Russia had been budgeting for a $100-per-barrel oil price next year. If it drops into the $50-60-per-barrel range, Russia will be hard pressed to maintain spending, while the central bank could be forced to hike interest rates sharply in order to defend the ruble. The odds would increase of Russia experiencing a major recession after only 0.2 percent GDP growth this year.
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-iran-deal-400-billion-tax-cut-11707
Iran might do it if they could hurt Saudi Arabia as well, and the Saudis are helping Zero with this rope-a-dope. One might think that the Iranians can’t bear to turn it down, because they need to sell more at the lower prices in order to cover the costs of their despotate and worldwide jihad, but they probably aren’t sufficiently motivated by the prospect of more cash, or watching their main ally of convenience (Russia) go down the drain. Meanwhile, BRICS is going to wind up hitting the bricks...
Russian Bombers Threaten Guam
The Washington Free Beacon | November 19, 2014 | Bill Gertz
Posted on 11/20/2014 11:24:23 AM PST by McGruff
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3229216/posts
Russia’s Jet Incursions Buzz An Alarm For Europe
IBD | October 30,2014 | IBD
Posted on 10/30/2014 8:40:25 PM PDT by Hojczyk
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3221552/posts
Russia says in talks with Venezuela over countering oil price falls
Reuters | November 18, 2014 | by Denis Dyomkin
Posted on 11/18/2014 11:19:28 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3228373/posts
Venezuela increases luxury taxes to bolster state coffers
Reuters | November 19, 2014 | by Brian Ellsworth
Posted on 11/20/2014 10:52:18 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3229203/posts
Industry Group: Brazil ‘Falling Off World Oil Map’ Over Failed Policies
Reuters via Rig Zone | September 16, 2014 | Jeb Blount
Posted on 09/16/2014 6:02:03 AM PDT by thackney
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3204511/posts
Chinese weapons winning battle for international market
China Daily/Asia News Network | Monday, Nov 17, 2014 | Zhao Lei
Posted on 11/16/2014 8:27:42 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3227777/posts
For Israel, China’s a trading partner, India a strategic one
Times of India | 18 November 2014
Posted on 11/17/2014 8:25:10 PM PST by cold start
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3228147/posts
Under Modi, Israel and India forge deeper business ties
Reuters | Nov 19, 2014 | TOVA COHEN AND ARI RABINOVITCH
Posted on 11/19/2014 6:14:31 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3228650/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
