To delay Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons, I have been expecting a deal that gives up a lot more than I’d like to see, and was prepared to support such a deal, because the other two alternatives to a negotiated settlement would leave us facing an Iran that not only possess nuclear weapons sooner, but also, would be more hostile toward the US. The deal in the works is actually far better than anything I had imagined.
Iran and the United States, along with five other world powers, announced on Thursday a surprisingly specific and comprehensive understanding on limiting Tehran’s nuclear program for the next 15 years, though they left several specific issues to a final agreement in June.
After two years of negotiations, capped by eight tumultuous days and nights of talks that appeared on the brink of breakdown several times, Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, announced the plan, which, if carried out, would keep Iran’s nuclear facilities open under strict production limits, and which holds the potential of reordering America’s relationship with a country that has been an avowed adversary for 35 years.
President Obama, for whom remaking the American relationship with Iran has been a central objective since his 2008 campaign, stepped into the Rose Garden moments later to celebrate what he called “a historic understanding with Iran.” He warned Republicans in Congress that if they tried to impose new sanctions to undermine the effort, the United States would be blamed for a diplomatic failure…
Inserted from <NY Times>
If you don’t already know and understand the details, Rachel Maddow brings it down to a level that a child could understand. Republicans, however, seem to lack that degree of sophistication.
There you have it. Two major questions remain. First, will Republicans sabotage the negotiations, because they are such a spectacular success for the Obama Administration? I hope they realize that, while the US would be blamed by other nations, they would be blamed here. Second, given the opportunity, can the Obama administration and their international partners close the deal? If they can, “historic” would be an understatement.
10 Responses to “Iran Deal: Historic an Understatement?”
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News well worth celebrating where historic may be an understatement. Thanks TC
The "dumber than a 5th grader" RepublicanTs will undoubtedly do something stupid in an attempt to undermine this historic deal. They want War and won't settle for Peace.
Just another good job performed by our Commander-in-Chief, which the RepukkklicanTs will want to either sabotage or take credit for!
Another issue where pretty much all we can do now is wait and see. Although there will be things to sign.
Hats off to Sec. Kerry, Pres. Obama and all parties involved in putting together this truly historic agreement.
I'm going to be optimistic, and this is why. It was the P5+1 – NOT just the USA – that worked together to structure this agreement with Iran. I'm hoping that the Rethuglicans realize how damaging it would be to any future foreign negotiations involving our allies (and others) if they worked to sabotage this historic agreement just because Pres. Obama is blessed with a surfeit of melanin pigment. (Should've I just said "Black"?)
Like the Europeans, I am elated by this deal, it is far more than I expected us to get. Now if we can just get McConnell and Boehner to keep their mouths shut, maybe it will go through. I wish they CARED more about their country and less about themselves.
"First, will Republicans sabotage the negotiations, because they are such a spectacular success for the Obama Administration?"
They will TRY because Obama dared to be POTUS while black. The fact that this negotiation involved other countries adds more creds to it. If the Republicanus/Teabaggerum carry on with their usual antics, they will only succeed in alienating the US and prove that it is not the leader of the free world. Of course Netanyahu, the Israeli Republicanus/Teabaggerum barbarian, will goad the Republicanus/Teabaggerum to do his bidding.
"Second, given the opportunity, can the Obama administration and their international partners close the deal?"
That is a tougher question. The answer partially lies in the coming negotiations that should complete by the end of June, and in the ability of the parties to "ratify" the agreement. Obama might have to get his veto pen topped up with ink and ready to go. Iran will likely face some disagreement from its hardliners. But old Bibi seems to thinks he should have a say in the agreement.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/03/israel-iran-nuclear-deal_n_6999328.html?utm_hp_ref=canada&ir=Canada
I think it should if possible, BUT I also think that Israel should likewise be compelled to recognise Palestine's right to exist. Some will say that Palestine is not involved in the negotiations so why should Israel be compelled to recognise it? But Israel is likewise not involved in the negotiations. Netanyahu is trying to insert himself into the negotiations when he has no right to do so. Israel should remember too that Pakistan, a Muslim country, has nuclear weapons and it is somewhat less stable than Iran.
I truly hope that the negotiations bear full fruit for the sake of the world.
Rachel's piece was excellent and even a 5 year old could follow it. Mind, Republicanus/Teabaggerum are a bunch of 3 year olds subject to frequent tantrums. Once the tantrum starts, the listening stops.
TY TC. Good news at last!
War or peace? WE have spent decades planning for war. Yes it brings power,blood and tears. Why not give decades of to finding peace? I think if we could open up our minds we could give peace a change. Yes the road is hard but having peace will bring respect and the sky is the limit. Now we still have a long way to go before the Iran Deal is signed and sealed. The republican/teaparty being the biggest obstacle and the American people the second.
Thanks and amen to all. We're all on the same page here.