I don’t envy Barrack Obama his job, when it comes to dealing with the Iran crisis. On one side there are isolationists who say the issue is none of our business. On the other, he is confronted with bloodthirsty Israelis externally, and Republican warmongers internally, all of whom want war. Except for one thing, I think he is handling it well.
The White House announced tightened sanctions against Iran on Monday because of its suspect nuclear program, freezing all property of the Central Bank of Iran, other Iranian financial institutions and the Iranian government in this country.
The tightening also raised the warning to financial institutions in other nations that they could face big penalties in the United States if they do business with the Iran’s central bank.
The actions, which are allowed under a new sanctions measure that became law this year, were ordered by President Obama in an executive order he signed on Sunday, the White House said.
Mr. Obama’s action came against the backdrop of rising tensions between Iran and the West over its nuclear energy program, which Iran says is peaceful and Iran’s critics say is a cover for efforts to build the capacity to make a nuclear weapon.
Last week an International Atomic Energy Agency inspection team left Iran after the Iranian government refused to allow it to scrutinize elements of the Iranian nuclear program that an the agency has cited as a cause for concern because of its military nature. Although the team is returning to Iran later this month, Western diplomats have concluded Iran appears intent on stonewalling.
In a statement, the White House said the executive order “reemphasizes this administration’s message to the government of Iran — it will face ever-increasing economic and diplomatic pressure until it addresses the international community’s well-founded and well-documented concerns regarding the nature of its nuclear program.”… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <NY Times>
Here’s how I see it. There are already too many nations in the world armed with nuclear weapons. The more there are, the greater the likelihood they will be used. I have absolutely no objections to Iran developing a nuclear energy program for peaceful use, but only as long as they comply with IAEA guidelines and permit IAEA inspections. Their refusal to do so justifies the sanctions, in my view. The policy has the added benefit of helping forestall the rabid dogs of war.
Here’s my problem with the policy. There are other nations in the world that have already developed nuclear weapons outside the auspices of the IAEA. If we are cracking down on Iran and North Korea, then we should also be imposing sanctions against India, Pakistan and Israel, or present a justification to the world for why we are not doing so.
10 Responses to “Obama Tightens Sanctions on Iran”
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I agree with you entirely! Obama is doing what he can with his hands tied by the Israeli policy makers and (dare I say) DONORS in an election year! I believe the Israelis are purposely acting this way for the election year – I hope O stands strong and tells Israel to go to hell!
Meanwhile the sanctions are a “slap” – not particularly effective I’m afraid, but at least it is a justified, as you say let the IAEA into Israel first! “let the nation without sin cast the first stone”. (not a very jewish sentiment!)
Now Lee, I said also, not first. I think Israel having nukes is no better than Iran having them.
I don’t know how much good the sanctions accomplish but they are better than another war.
“I don’t envy Barrack Obama his job, Except for one thing, I think he is handling it well…
Thanks Richard.
That is my hope too.
In a no-win situation Obama seems to be dealing with it as effectively as possible while maintaining balance on a tightrope : No more War!!
We agree.
In reading the article, in particulat TC your comment: “There are already too many nations in the world armed with nuclear weapons. The more there are, the greater the likelihood they will be used. I have absolutely no objections to Iran developing a nuclear energy program for peaceful use, but only as long as they comply with IAEA guidelines and permit IAEA inspections.”
I wholeheartedly agree and would go one step further — all nations, whether they’ve signed the NPT or not, should submit their nuclear programmes to inspection by the IAEA.
In thinking about the other nations that have nuclear capabilities, I remembered the CANDU reactors and Canada’s role in selling them. While here they are for energy and using them for anything else is difficult, I question the wisdom of such programmes. From Wikipedia:
Today there are 29 CANDU reactors in use around the world, and 13 “CANDU-derivatives” in India, developed from the CANDU design after India detonated a nuclear bomb in 1974 and Canada stopped nuclear dealings with India. The breakdown is:
And the US has done its part in selling nuclear technology. So what is really out there? I think all nations have to pony up to the inspections. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. After all, it only takes one hawk with a finger poised over the red button to start a cataclysm.
Lynn, I have absolutely zero problems with that.