29 Mar 2024
Saturday 7 October 2017 - 11:58
Story Code : 278471

Why decertifying the Iran nuclear deal would be a bad idea



The New York Times - President Trump is expected to announce next week whether he willwithdraw certification of the nuclear deal with Iranthat was negotiated by the Obama administration. TheWashington Post reportedThursday that he is planning to decertify the deal. The Times editorial board has long argued that is wrong-headed, and will ultimately prove to be a step that antagonizes Iran, a major regional power, and leads to the proliferation of nuclear weapons around the world.


Heres why:


It ignores that the deal is working.The deal was intended to keep Iran from producing a nuclear weapon, a crucial and necessary goal. Critics ignore the fact that the deal is doing that, as the International Atomic Energy Agency, which rigorously monitors Irans activities, and even Mr. Trumps own State Department have certified.


It would alienate our allies and make a bad situation with North Korea even worse.If America withdraws from the agreement, it will outrage the other major powers that are party to the deal France, Britain, Germany, Russia and China andgive Iran an excuse to resume a full-blown nuclear program. Why Mr. Trump would risk that when North Koreas program is a full-time concern is a mystery.


It sends the wrong message to Iran, and thats dangerous.As it has been with other foreign policy issues,the Trump administrations approach to Iran has been full of mixed messages. Yet amid the confusion, there has been an ominous tendency to demonize Iran and misrepresent the threat it presents. This could lead to an unnecessary and risky confrontation.


It doesnt help in the fight against the Islamic State.The fear is that Mr. Trumps demonizing of Iran, and his unwillingness to engage its government, could result ina broadening of the American military mission from defeating ISISto preventing Iranian influence from expanding. This would be dangerous. Iran is a vexing state to be smartly managed, not assumed to be an implacable enemy.




It ignores the complexity of the region.In some waysIran is an easy political target. Sunni Arabs feel threatened by Iran and are competing with Iran for regional influence. Israel detests Iran and so do many members of Congress. Yet to see Iran as implacably hostile is much too simple. Even as Mr. Trump reaffirmed Americas partnership with the conservative Saudi royals, Iranians were re-electing a moderate, Hassan Rouhani, as president and reaffirming their interest in engagement with the West. The Saudi human rights record is no better than Irans.


It undermines trust in America and the countrys ability to negotiate in the future.At a crucial moment, Donald Trump is forcing the world to confront core questions it really shouldnt have to ask: Can he be trusted? And, more saliently,can America be trusted? His threats to jettison the Iran nuclear deal are undermining Americas credibility as a negotiating partner and weakening Americas ability to lead the free world as it has for 70 years.





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