Issues Under Fire: Iran-P5+1 Defy the Devil to Deliver Framework for a Deal
In an unwavering commitment to diplomacy, President Barack Obama achieved what no other U.S. President has even come close to accomplishing in 35 years; an agreement with Iran. And not just any agreement, but a deal that could ease tensions between the two nations, enhance regional security and stability, while creating conditions for further cooperation in the future.
When one reviews this framework agreement for the more comprehensive contract to be delivered by 6.30.2015, its clear President Obama and President Rouhani adopted the principles of the win win approach to the negotiation process, because both sides were so pleased to announce the results. Iranians were reportedly dancing in the streets, while the international community breathed a major sigh of relief. Now, that's what you call a good deal!
While this agreement can not be set in stone until blessed by the U.S. Congress, with strong international support, it will prove exceedingly difficult to undermine the progress made by the P5+1 no matter how determined hawkish forces connive to reverse the trajectory of the process. Now that the world can actually see what this tentative agreement represents, it will be nearly impossible to convince a conflict weary world to reject this outcome.
Despite all of Bibi's blistering bluster, even he, Prime Minister of the occupying force has been put in a box. After expending so much domestic and international capital promoting a fictional account of what could be expected from any agreement with Tehran, only to be exposed as a fabricator by the facts, leaves Benjamin Netanyahu spitting into the wind. Relegated to the peanut gallery, few beyond the most rabid Right wing elements will view his views with any credibility going forward.
On the other hand, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have established themselves as two men who firmly believe diplomacy should be the centerpiece of America's foreign policy. The Obama administration has demonstrated diplomacy is and will be its first, second and third options to any conflict resolution, when military engagement lurks in the background. The Obama administration proved diplomacy works.
Bottom line: The most amazing revelation of all events surrounding and leading up to this historic achievement, is the fact that when all the lies were unraveled, Iran, America's archenemy, turned out to be more cooperative and trustworthy, than America's so-called closest ally.
Considering the United States has literally sacrificed decades of blood, treasure, values and international standing to unconditionally support its Middle East BFF, one wouldn't have expected to be so relentlessly bedeviled by said BFF throughout the entire process. One would have expected a little more trust and patience from a friend. Podcast Below!
Oh, BTW heres just some of the domestic and international reaction to the framework agreement so far:
"I am convinced that if this framework leads to a final comprehensive deal, it will make our country, our allies and our world safer. It is a good deal, a deal that meets our core objectives." — President Barack Obama.
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"We have no illusions about the fact that we have a ways to travel. We still have many technical details that have to be addressed." — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
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"Our program is exclusively peaceful, has always been and always will remain exclusively peaceful." — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
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"We are closer than ever to an agreement that makes it impossible for Iran to possess nuclear weapons. That is a great credit to all negotiating partners." — German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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"A deal based on this framework would threaten the survival of Israel. ... Such a deal would not block Iran's path to the bomb. It would pave it." — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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"This is well beyond what many of us thought possible even 18 months ago and a good basis for what I believe could be a very good deal. But there is still more work to do." — British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.
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"We are convinced that the final agreement on the nuclear dossier could have positive effects both with Iran and for developments in various other crisis areas." — Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni.
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"We consider the solution that was found, from the point of view of strengthening the legal system of international relations, as bright proof that the most difficult problems and crisis situations can be resolved through political and diplomatic efforts." — Russian Foreign Ministry.
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"A nuclear-armed Iran would lead to a less safe and less secure world, which is why the stakes are so high in the pursuit of a strong agreement that is fully enforceable, verifiable and is in our national security interests." — Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn.
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"Congress must be allowed to fully review the details of any agreement before any sanctions are lifted. ... It would be naïve to suggest the Iranian regime will not continue to use its nuclear program, and any economic relief, to further destabilize the region." — House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.
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"A nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable to the United States, unacceptable to Israel, and unacceptable to the world. This accord will be enforced by the full strength of the United States and the collective determination of the international community." — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
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