Friday, January 01, 2016

Iran Has to Destroy the Reset in Order to Save It?

Our administration and its backers really seem to think that the horrible nuclear deal finalized last year will lead Iran to become a responsible regional power. That isn't what Iran agreed to.

No way!

President Hassan Rouhani ordered his defense minister on Thursday to expand Iran's missile program, in defiance of a U.S. threat to impose sanctions over a ballistic missile test Iran carried out in October.

But Iran will totally abide by the toothless nuclear agreement and never seek ways around that farcical aquatic ceremony.

And don't forget the carrier incident.

Get ready for more of this Iranian behavior:

Experts say they expect similar behavior going forward.

They argue that Tehran is seeking to send a message to the U.S., the region and its own citizens that despite the deal, Iran has no intention of working more broadly with the United States. ...

“There is no consensus in Iran that this agreement should lead to an overall improvement in U.S. and Iranian relations,” said Anthony Cordesman, Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Well, there is no consensus that Iran's policies should change to improve relations. If we simply go along with what Iran wants, I'm sure Iranians would approve of that.

Which is a problem if you assume the details of the Iran nuclear deal are irrelevant because by the time Iran gets nukes they will be a responsible member of the international community and will be no more worrisome than France (which has nukes).

UPDATE: This seems about right (tip to Instapundit):

From his first days in office Mr. Obama begged Iran to negotiate, making concession after concession until even the Ayatollah had to accept. It’s no surprise Iran has concluded that it can now press its military ambitions with impunity.

How can the mullahs not believe God is on their side?

It's the Kevin Bacon foreign policy:



We've assumed the position.