Posted on 12/31/2019 11:34:34 AM PST by gattaca
In late 2019, Americans are overwhelmingly concerned about only one foreign policy issue: Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. Notably, Americans strongly prefer a non-military solution, but understand a military solution may be necessary. The real question is where are the Europeans?
On December 29, after a series of Iranian-backed attacks on locations with US personnel in Iraq and Syria, the US advanced a twin strategy. State imposed new sanctions, part of a maximum pressure campaign, and the military struck five Iranian Hezbollah sites in Iraq and Syria.
Big picture, Iran is testing the Western alliance. Throughout 2019, Iran and terror-dispensing surrogates shot down a US drone, mined and attacked international shipping in the Gulf, struck a Saudi refinery, armed promotors of civil war in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. As such, Iran is an unrivaled sponsor of global terror.
Closer to home, Iran oppresses their own people mercilessly, punishing basic liberties, from free speech and worship to association and dissent. Over the past two months, Iran turned its terror machine inward, authorizing live fire to kill protestors in 100 cities. Corroborated reports indicate Iranian Islamic leaders killed up to 1500 citizens for seeking basic freedoms.
Finally, on the nuclear weapons front, after the Trump administration withdrew from a deal authorizing nuclear weapons after a delay, Iran responded by accelerating weapons grade uranium enrichment, widening the nuclear weapons program, ramping up international terror.
The unreported irony is in recent data. Irans leaders are struggling to maintain an accelerated nuclear weapons program, international terror projection and order at home albeit brutally.
Iran is under pressure from Trumps economic sanctions a non-military way to compel Iran to abandon nuclear weapons and international terror, or flip the unpopular, oppressive regime.
The right next step would be for the European Union if they want a non-military way out of this darkness to join the Trump Administration and impose economic sanctions, rather than continuing to profit from robust trade with this dangerous, oppressive, terror-dealing state possibly forcing a military solution.
Here is key data. According to a November 2019 Hill-Harris poll, 84 percent of American voters are concerned about Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, a bigger number than concerned about North Korea, China, Turkey or any other foreign policy issue.
The Hill-Harris breakdown is revealing, with 89 percent of Democrats, 85 percent of Republicans and 79 percent of Independents evincing serious concern. At the same time, a Gallop poll shows 78 percent of voters favor a non-military solution to stop Irans nuclear ambitions, with 42 percent consenting to military options if non-military options fail.
Ironically, while European leaders criticize America and strenuously resist military force to blunt Irans nuclear weapons advance they refuse to join the US in sanctions against Iran.
Thus, while the US has minimal trade with Iran providing medicines and basic life-preserving aid, the EU feasts at the Iranian troth supporting internal repression, enabling finance of international terrorism and accelerating Irans push to nuclear weapons.
Numbers tell the story. According to reported data, the EU is Irans largest trading partner, chased only by China and the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, the EU is supporting Irans bid to join the World Trade Organization, no preconditions. The moral hypocrisy is profound.
The EU has devised a special instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges, allowing EU trade with Iran to skirt US sanctions, even advancing the idea to spite the United States, support Iran or justify its own behavior of urging Chinese and Russian counterparts to do more to support economic ties with Iran. The EU same states as NATO is dead set against the US.
The irony, of course, is profound. If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, they are likely to be used swiftly, directly or as a blackmail across the Middle East and hitting ballistically reachable targets, before even turned on the US. Europe would be a big loser, and in short order.
If used in the Middle East against Saudi Arabia, Israel, Syria, Iraq or another other nation, the refugee outflows to Europe would be enormous unprecedented. The requirements of NATO states to respond would be enormous. If used against the EU, outcomes would be catastrophic.
The right answer, right now even before this time is for EU countries, if not China and Russia, to join the US in applying maximum pressure through non-military sanctions to halt Irans push to nuclear weapons, sponsorship of terror globally, and human rights violations.
This logical answer, which would forestall or eliminate the need for tactical or strategic use of military responses by the US or NATO to halt Irans nuclear weapons, terror and brutality, is unified sanctions, the EU joining the US in holding Iran accountable.
Unfortunately, the EU is disunified, inconsistent and short-sighted. The EU appears more interested in opposing US leadership, indulging economic appetites, and justifying themselves through alliance with oppressive China and Russia than stabilizing the future with sanctions.
The most recent uptick in US sanctions, instability inside Iran, and need for tactical strikes to stop Iranian attacks on US personnel and allies mean just one thing: This is the time for EU egos and appetite to retreat, EU nations to join the US in a non-military approach to stopping Irans malignant behaviors.
The real question is where are the Europeans? If they want a non-military resolution to expanding Iranian disorder, threats and destabilizing behaviors, this is the time to join the United States. That said, do not count on it. EU egos, profits and resistance to US leadership run deep. Irans destabilizing pursuit of nuclear weapons and terrorism can be stopped, and most Americans want it stopped probably most European voters but EU leaders must step up.
Euroscum has its collective head up its collective ass. Don’t count on them for anything.
I'm an American and I don't think about Iranian nukes at all, unless the neocons are banging their drum about it. Why is is my business that the Iranians have a nuke?
The Pakis have nukes also. If those nukes are used against the US, then we retaliate. If those nukes are used against Israel, Israel has submarines that can strike back.
Let Israel defend itself.
They are cringing in a corner...
Where is the euro trash always at? Cavorting with their enemies against those who fight for them. At this point we really need a strategic re-evaluation of Americas needs and security interests. More and more Europe seems to be on the who needs these backstabbing pricks anymore.
Who cares.
The apt question is “Where is Russia?”
Iran is a competitor with /Russia for the spoils of Syria, and for Chinese favor, and for energy sales.
Tran’s only important friend is China, and China is losing patience with them.
They are busy electing ‘Rambo-like warrior leaders’, like Macron.
Where is Russia?
Geopolitically, anything that puts Russia’s competitors off balance is a win for them.
Allowing the Muzzies to rape their women, stab their citizens, run innocents over with trucks, and capitulate in every possible way.
Taking bribes like the democrats.
Mark Steyn interviewing Col Macgregor, Ret. on this topic, Dec 30, 2019
While insuring that their own citizens are disarmed and helpless against Muslim assault.
Where are the EuroScum?
Sucking $$$ out the anus of Tehran. It would be terrible if Berlin is the first to be nuked “accidentally” by Iran.
The French called them Mahamat I think it was so how about Mahopean
Europe already surrendered to Islam.
No reason why they shouldn't. Unfortunately the Middle East countries have warred with each other for as long as they have existed.
They fought over water. Towns formed at deep water wells. Damascus became a BOOMING town because it had/has TWO distinct fresh water wells.
With the petroleum there in the Middle East, it's just another thing to fight about.
And, I do know about the term "Aryan." Too bad Hitler had to use that term. But, it won't be long before people will say "Hitler? Who's that?"
What is this guy talking about? Most Americans have no clue on foreign policy. The ones that have some idea mostly see two big issues: China and illegal aliens. Iran getting nukes is probably low on most people’s radar, though still top ten or so.
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