Wow, that red line sure scared the shit out of Assad.
[quote]pat wrote:
Nobody is afraid of U.S. action.
[/quote]
And worse…we let North Korea screw with us!
WTF??!!
Does anyone else think this is ludicrous and insane?
edit: Last I read the annual joint military exercise with the U.S., South Korea & other nations is back on track.
Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal May Become the World’s 3rd Largest
Given that Pakistan is wracked by extremism and factionalism, this is as disconcerting to me as the prospect of a nascent nuclear Iran.
[quote]pushharder wrote:
Gen. Paul Vallely: Iran Already Has Nuke, Making Deal ‘Moot’
(Trivia: this guy lives down the road from me)[/quote]
But now they have 150 billion dollars to go along with their plan to promote terrorism. And they have four hostages that they can use for leverage as well. It’s really working out well for them since Kerry and Obama have joined their side.
[quote]pushharder wrote:
Gen. Paul Vallely: Iran Already Has Nuke, Making Deal ‘Moot’
(Trivia: this guy lives down the road from me)[/quote]
But now they have 150 billion dollars to go along with their plan to promote terrorism. And they have four hostages that they can use for leverage as well. It’s really working out well for them since Kerry and Obama have joined their side.
Who capitulated again?
Russia will have hit the jackpot selling arms to Iran since they’re now flush with the 150 billion we gave them.
This really is a good deal for terrorist countries and those who sell them arms.
I’m so proud of my President and the Secretary of State.
We could never do better than those two jokers…not ever!
[quote]ZEB wrote:
Russia will have hit the jackpot selling arms to Iran since they’re now flush with the 150 billion we gave them.
This really is a good deal for terrorist countries and those who sell them arms.
I’m so proud of my President and the Secretary of State.
We could never do better than those two jokers…not ever!
[/quote]
It’s closer to $56 billion. Give? Hardly. The funds in question are frozen assets - Iranian oil revenues being held in foreign banks. Much of that will need to be devoted to economic development and social welfare programs to shore up the clerical regime’s tenuous base of power. A small price to pay for keeping Iran out of the nuclear weapons state club.
[quote]pushharder wrote:
Interesting twist should this occur:
I just don’t see it having much of an impact. US firms have had limited dealings with Iran since the 1979 Revolution. The tightening of a handful of state sanctions will be more than mitigated by Iran’s reincorporation into the international economy. What gavr the sanctions such bite was their broad international nature.
[quote]Bismark wrote:
It’s closer to $56 billion.[/quote]
Not according to multiple web sites and every major news outlet–150 billion.
Good point, they are very concerned about their people and will spend every dime of the 150 billion helping those people.
By the way, I have some Florida property that is going really cheap care to take a look at it?
A truly idiotic deal to make if we want to keep Iran from continuing their terrorist ways.
Not surprised. Looks like a done deal.
[quote]Bismark wrote:
[quote]ZEB wrote:
Russia will have hit the jackpot selling arms to Iran since they’re now flush with the 150 billion we gave them.
This really is a good deal for terrorist countries and those who sell them arms.
I’m so proud of my President and the Secretary of State.
We could never do better than those two jokers…not ever!
[/quote]
It’s closer to $56 billion. Give? Hardly. The funds in question are frozen assets - Iranian oil revenues being held in foreign banks. Much of that will need to be devoted to economic development and social welfare programs to shore up the clerical regime’s tenuous base of power. A small price to pay for keeping Iran out of the nuclear weapons state club.[/quote]
I hope this red line is drawn thicker than the one drawn with Syria not using chemical weapons again.
Senator Bob Casey’s 17 page statement of support for the JCPOA, including a one page bibliography. This is the most nuanced and balanced public statement made by a member of Congress to date, either for or against the deal. If you haven’t had the time or inclination to the full text of the agreement, at the very least read this. Otherwise, it’s ludicrous to reflexively criticize a document you can’t be bothered to read.
http://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000014f-89e4-d950-a5cf-9bedbf2a0000
[quote]ZEB wrote:
[quote]Bismark wrote:
It’s closer to $56 billion.[/quote]
Not according to multiple web sites and every major news outlet–150 billion.
Good point, they are very concerned about their people and will spend every dime of the 150 billion helping those people.
By the way, I have some Florida property that is going really cheap care to take a look at it?
A truly idiotic deal to make if we want to keep Iran from continuing their terrorist ways.
[/quote]
Not true. That figure doesn’t take into account the tens of billions of dollars Iran owes to China and others in outstanding debts. Those will be subtracted before Iran receives any of its frozen assets, which they won’t receive until the IAEA finds Iran’s account of its nuclear program’s past military dimensions (PMD) to be satisfactory.
The clerical regime has to shore up its support among the public. That is why Rhouhani, a moderate, was allowed to assume the presidency. He ran on a platform to end Iran’s pariah status and to pursue the end of biting international sanctions, which have had a devastating effect on the economy.
The JCPOA is a non-proliferation agreement. As such, it doesn’t address Iran’s sponsorship of militant groups. No deal could outside a decisive military defeat of Iran could achieve such a result. Obviously, the costs far outweigh the benefits in regard to war.
It’s interesting to note that on Bush 43’s first day in office, Iran had a mere 164 centrifuges in one cascade. That number grew exponentially over the course of the administration. Had the US responded to Iran’s so called “grand bargain” offer, perhaps the unrealistic goals of critics could have been achieved.
[quote]Bismark wrote:
The clerical regime has to shore up its support among the public. That is why Rhouhani, a moderate, was allowed to assume the presidency. He ran on a platform to end Iran’s pariah status and to pursue the end of biting international sanctions, which have had a devastating effect on the economy.
[/quote]
That it all well and good for duping foreign leaders and gaining public support, but the presidency means dick. Rhouhani has almost no real power.
[quote]Alrightmiami19c wrote:
[quote]Bismark wrote:
The clerical regime has to shore up its support among the public. That is why Rouhani, a moderate, was allowed to assume the presidency. He ran on a platform to end Iran’s pariah status and to pursue the end of biting international sanctions, which have had a devastating effect on the economy.
[/quote]
That it all well and good for duping foreign leaders and gaining public support, but the presidency means dick. Rhouhani has almost no real power.
[/quote]
And you base that on what, exactly? Actual study of the convulted and opaque nature of Iranian domestic politics? Or an ill informed sound bite that corresponds with you’re equally ill informed biases?
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Chapter IX
Article 113
After the office of Leadership, the President is the highest official in the country. His is the responsibility for implementing the Constitution and acting as the head of the executive, except in matters directly concerned with (the office of) the Leadership.
Article 125
The President or his legal representative has the authority to sign treaties, protocols, contracts, and agreements concluded by the Iranian government with other governments, as well as agreements pertaining to international organizations, after obtaining the approval of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
Article 126
The President is responsible for national planning and budget and state employment affairs and may entrust the administration of these to others.