Left: President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers at the Great Wall of China. Credit: History.com Photo Galleries
President Obama’s decisions regarding the Middle East since the spring of 2011 have resulted in the killing of hundreds of thousands of Sunni Muslims, the displacement of millions, and chaos throughout the region. His concessions to Iran’s nuclear weapons development and terrorism have elevated the regime’s standing at home and abroad; and as a bonus to their signature on a worthless piece of paper, they stand to receive at least $150 billion. This would help the regime to better fund their nuclear research, enrichment and weapons programs, arm more insurgencies, increase their international terrorist activities, undermine Sunni regimes and attempt to attack Israel.
For Obama’s efforts Iran should award him the ”Islamic Republic Medal,” its highest award, the same one given to Hugo Chavez in 2006. The late Venezuelan president received the award merely for supporting “Iran’s stance on the international scene, especially its opposition to a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency.” Obama, evidently, has done much more.
Obama announced his “willingness to open contacts with Iran,”in his first inaugural address in January 2009. Reportedly, it was then that Obama began a secret correspondence with Ayatollah Khamenei.
On December 10, 2009, in his acceptance of the ill-fated Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama reiterated his commitment “to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons,” and to “upholding” the nonproliferation treaty. That, he said, was “a centerpiece” of his “foreign policy.”
As Khamenei tells it, “Obama used an intermediary to convey the message that he [Obama] wants to resolve the nuclear matter with Iran and that [the U.S.] would lift sanctions….they would recognize Iran as a nuclear power…[and] would lift sanctions in the course of six months.” To Khamenei’s response, “we do not trust the Americans and their statements,” Obama pleaded, “‘try it once more.’” Khamenei agreed. How many more intermediary and secret letters were sent by Obama is unknown.
In his second inaugural address Obama called on “the leaders of Iran must recognize that now is the time for a diplomatic solution, because …we will do what is necessary to prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon.”
Shortly afterwards, in February 2013, talks advertised as negotiations to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program and ballistic missiles research started in Kazakhstan. At that time Iran reportedly had 130 centrifuges. Today, it is said they have more than 19,000 – none of which they plan to destroy. However, accurate information is unavailable not only because Iran does not provide it; but according to the United Nations’ June 1 report, the U.S. is turning a blind eye to Iran’s violations of the Security Council “sanctions against its nuclear program.”
On March 21, 2013, visiting Israel, Obama said, “When I consider Israel’s security, I also think about a people who have a living memory of the Holocaust, faced with the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iranian government that has called for Israel’s destruction. It’s no wonder Israelis view this as an existential threat. But this is not simply a challenge for Israel — it is a danger for the entire world, including the United States….A nuclear-armed Iran would raise the risk of nuclear terrorism. It would undermine the non-proliferation regime. It would spark an arms race in a volatile region. And it would embolden a government that has shown no respect for the rights of its own people or the responsibilities of nations.”
Obama then stressed, “I’ve made the position of the United States of America clear: Iran must not get a nuclear weapon. This is not a danger that can be contained… America will do what we must to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.”
As for Hezbollah, Obama stated, “every country that values justice should call Hezbollah what it truly is — a terrorist organization. Because the world cannot tolerate an organization that murders innocent civilians, stockpiles rockets to shoot at cities, and supports the massacre of men and women and children in Syria right now.” Obama went on to assure the Israelis: “so long as there is a United States of America — Atem lo levad. You are not alone.”
On march 3, 2015, the Israeli Prime Minister highlighted the dangers of giving in to Iran nuclear demands before a joint session of Congress. Obama did not hid his anger. He refused to listen to what the head of the Jewish State had to say. Not long after, Obama announced that Iran’s capacity to develop nuclear power cannot be prevented – “that’s not achievable through sanctions,” he said. “Iran’s capacity to develop nuclear power cannot be prevented – “that’s not achievable through sanctions,” he said.
Days before the June 30th deadline Iran’s Supreme Leader read apparently from that script, saying, “Lifting [of] sanctions can’t depend on implementation of Iran’s obligations.” He went on demanding to lift all sanctions.
Not surprisingly, an adviser to Iran’s Foreign Minister boasted recently, “We did increase the program very successfully.” Thanks to Obama, Iran’s “self-confidence has grown over the years. “In the end we want to lead the Muslim world,” he said.
Iran, a terrorist designated country that repeatedly calls for the destruction of Israel and “Death to America,” may soon get its wish to become a nuclear power, expand its terrorist activities in the Middle East and beyond. If Obama accedes to Ayatollah Khamenei’s latest demands, there will be little to stop Iran from attacking Israel, as it has repeatedly sworn to do.
Indeed, Iran’s success at bullying the U.S. into withdrawing all of its decades-long demands to stop the regime’s nuclear ambitions could have never happened without Obama’s help.
And deal authorizing Iran’s nuclear weapons development is most likely to be signed when the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Theocracy of Iran gets every concession, and then some, that he can get from the P5+1(plus another 1, the EU), and especially from U.S. President, Barack Hussein Obama. Unlike Richard Nixon’s opening to China in 1972 that increased U.S. global influence, Obama’s overture to Iran has diminished it.