Commentary is swirling in policy circles and media outlets about President Donald Trump’s latest moves in the Middle East. Is Trump going to let Iran have nuclear weapons? Is he abandoning Israel on Saudi Arabia? Did Trump leave Israel out to dry with the Houthis? Some questions are earnest, some show a gross misunderstanding of the president’s foreign-policy strategy, and others are simply Democrats and “Never Trumpers” waiting for their gotcha moment.
It’s not hard to tell which is which. But rather than being dismissive of the comments, I am always glad to have the discussion. So, let’s do just that. Let’s start with Iran. No one, outside of a select few, actually knows the status of America’s discussions with Iran.
A fair look at most, if not all, of the commentary on the potential Iran deal is laden with conjecture. Critics insist Trump is preparing to sign a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) 2.0 that all but greenlights an Iranian bomb. Those of us who support the president are certain that this could never be the case.
Let’s look at the facts. Last week, Trump said: “I would much prefer a strong, verified deal where we actually blow them up … or just de-nuke them … . There are only two alternatives there: Blow them up nicely or blow them up viciously.” (Read More)
