I often disagree with the opinions that Theodore L. Gatchel expresses in his monthly Commentary pieces, and I do so with regard to his Dec. 3 piece ("Iran deal a trap instead of a treaty”).
I agree with his main premise that Barack Obama made an end-run around Congress to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran. However, Obama said he did this because the only alternative to a deal was eventual war, a view I agree with, and he knew the Senate would never approve a nuclear treaty with Iran. Obama’s conduct was prudent and realistic, not devious.
This deal was negotiated with Iran and signed by the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, all of whom we need to make international sanctions effective. To get, one must give. (If one is interested in the detailed background and machinations over the two years that culminated in this deal, “Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran, and the Triumph of Diplomacy” by Trita Parsi, will provide them.)
What if the Senate were to find Iran in noncompliance and kill the deal? What would this say to North Korea's Kim Jong Un? He probably ties the fate of Moammar Khaddafi in Libya to his giving up his nuclear weapons ambition.
Can Donald Trump stop his bombastic and harmful behavior toward North Korea and begin to negotiate an agreement to end North Korea’s nuclear program? His past behavior is not encouraging.
Harry MacDonald
Cumberland