Monday, January 18, 2016

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IRANIAN DEAL

I have heard the term "appeasement" many times in the description of the Iranian Nuclear Deal. Many people really do think we gave in to Iran and received very little in return. They compare President Obama to Prime Minister Chamberlain and the deal made with Germany in the late 1930's. Such a comparison is absurd. The United States joined the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany in negotiating this deal with Iran. UN inspectors will have strong access to Iranian nuclear facilities in making sure that Iran complies. Finally, Iran will now establish trade relationships within the global economy and this could strengthen the moderate political leaders in Iran and encourage more support for them in the future against Iran's "hard-liners." This deal is not a sure bet. But neither was bunker bombing Iran's Nuclear facilities as a way of preventing them from getting the nuclear bomb. Caution and verification are the key wards in this agreement but this is not "appeasement." This is an attempt to use multi-lateral diplomacy to prevent more war. The dividends of this agreement might already be felt as the 12 soldiers were quickly released when they were captured in Iranian waters. Also, 5 civilians who were held for years in Iran were recently released. These gestures by Iran should not be applauded. These 17 people should not have been taken in the first place. But these releases should provide a small layer of optimism as we look at the impact of this agreement. But don't call it "appeasement."