Iran...All the Way Home

I think we all can agree that the Iranian Government is not our friend. They routinely organize their domestic "death to America" rallies. They are a Theocracy and there in rests the problem. Whenever religion becomes the ruler of the State it results in an inflexible attitude toward other nations.

We are now engaged in an attempt to place a diplomatic agreement in place which would stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb. This has been of great concern for quite sometime, leading to international sanctions against them. The sanctions have hurt and motivated them to come to the bargaining table. The outline of the potential agreement is available for review and you should do that before jumping to conclusions. The actual agreement, which will be far more than four pages, will not be signed until the end of June, if we actually make it to that point.

There is bipartisan doubt in our country about this deal. Most of that is sincere and Congress should absolutely do it's job and demand the ability to review it. It is not a treaty so it doesn't require Senate ratification but it would be a mistake not to consult with Congress. It is that body which has to vote to remove sanctions at the appropriate triggered times.

It's easy to engage in diplomacy with your friends and allies but that's not the true purpose of the endeavor. It is to attempt to chart a peaceful path forward with your adversaries. A nuclear armed Iran is not acceptable. I say that knowing fully how hypocritical it is considering that numerous countries have the bomb. However, Iran has made it clear that it wants to wipe Israel off the map and it supports terrorist organizations. Sure it's fighting ISIS but that's because they are destabilizing Iran's new client state, Iraq. It's about which religious cabal will rule. Now take into consideration that Iran is Shiite and the Sunnis lead by Saudi Arabia hate each other's guts. Again a religious dispute within the same religion.

Some in our country and abroad beat the war drums and say don't even try to negotiate a peaceful resolution. That war of course would be on us, our blood and treasure. I believe we should cautiously move forward with the Obama Administrations attempt. Let's see where it goes and what good it could yield. We will always have the military option if Iran cheats or in any other way violates the agreement.

The reality is we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If no deal is reached sanctions will begin to break down and we will remain alone in their enforcement, which will continue to have impact on Iran but not nearly as severe as today's alliance.

Let's be clear, resolute and vigilant going forward and never fear to try new strategies.