I understand Trump supporters like that America via Trump unilaterally pulled out of the Iran deal. Perhaps you can share why you like that beyond the ad hominem attack (beyond it was a bad deal). I do like civil discussion so I hope you reply and I promise to keep an open mind and listen. Also, I do realize the Iran Nuclear Deal was bipartisan, meaning, both Democrats and Republicans supported and opposed it.

Opposing Terror Requires Peace

First, a statement. Any movement on terror and conflict must have a plan with the next steps and goals — an end game. Yitzhak Rabin summed it up well and Republicans and Trump supporters would be wise to listen and learn…

“We must fight terrorism as if there’s no peace process, and work to achieve peace as if there’s no terror.” -Yitzhak Rabin

A vote for Trump or any Republican is a vote for war. Currently and traditionally, most Republicans, especially on the far right, are warmongers ready to hit with a big stick and reluctant to engage in a peace process.

Although Democrats too have a way to go, currently and traditionally they are also strong on the military but smarter about the details.

Iran Nuclear Deal, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

My take is that you have to be very careful when listening to Trump and this administration. Trump said he would replace the Iran deal with a better deal he negotiated. He didn’t. He lied. America has no deal with Iran right now. This should be all you need to know.

FACTS:

1. Trump never replaced Iran deal — He said he would repeal and replace the Iran Nuclear Deal. He pulled us out, while the rest of the world stayed in the deal. Trump never even tried to negotiate despite the fact that Rex Tillerson was in the middle of getting Trump leverage to work with.
2. Obama Gave Iran $150 Billion is a lie — Again, truth matters. The $150 billion given to Iran was NOT given to Iran by us. That’s another lie. We simply lifted sanctions. That $150 billion was Iran’s own money. Not ours. Never was ours. Never could be ours. We simply let them have access to some of their own money.

Also consider…

1. The Iran deal was a deal among Iran and the P5+1 countries (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and America, plus Germany). America pulling out really did nothing but make America look weak, and give Iran an excuse to try something in the future then blame us. The other countries are still in, so the deal is still in place and strong. It’s just America has nothing to do with it.
2. Trump did not replace it. He said he would. He lied. He said he was a great negotiator. He’s not.
3. Trump gave up the bargaining position we had for nothing. He just bowed out. Why? Why not use the threat of bowing out to negotiate a better deal?
4. Trump said he would put sanctions back on. He did, so he kept his word. But, because nearly all other countries are still in, Iran simply trades with them. Our sanctions without world support mean little to Iran. The world does NOT respect Trump, and they no longer follow America.
5. With no “real” sanctions, the people of Iran are out of their recession and doing better. Even if Trump wanted to negotiate, what would he negotiate with? All the other countries are doing business with Iran and Iran’s economy is doing fine now.
6. If the Iran deal was so bad, why do the following countries support it to this day: Canada, China, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Singapore, etc.
7. The Iran deal is now opposed primarily only by America, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Saudi scumbag prince MBS opposed the deal. That’s a big reason why Trump pulled out.
8. In America, the majority of Americans supported the deal. 56% of Americans. Heck, even more Republicans supported it within their party, 46% support, 42% oppose.
9. America did NOT give Iran any money. That’s a Trump lie. We allowed them access to their own money.
10. The Iran deal does NOT sunset. And, there are other deals in place that prohibit Iran from building nuclear weapons. Could they cheat? Sure, but with no deal at all, we have no right to even ask.
11. The prevailing view among foremost authorities is that Iran has complied with the deal. The IAEA has found that Iran has complied with the deal. Our U.S. State Dept which had to report to Congress on this every 90 days found Iran compliant (but with no deal, they are no longer reporting to Congress).

Republicans say Sanctions will work

Richard Goldberg says, “…as the pressure will increase on Iran after the return of sanctions.”

I think Richard was counting on other countries following America. They didn’t. No one did. Not one. In fact, all the other countries involved in this deal panned Trump and America and sided with Iran. Nearly all other countries announced they sided with the deal, not Trump. Even people in our own government side with the remaining Iran deal over Trump. So, we lost. Sanctions by us only work with cooperation from our allies. Trump does not have world support. Sanctions are not working.

Obama Deal Bad Because It Did Not Cover Everything

Richard Goldberg says in response to Iran still funding Hezbollah under Obama deal issue “…it’s not what the deal would’ve covered if I was negotiating it.”

Well, Trump didn’t renegotiate anything. He just bowed out. Gave up his only leverage. Now what? If that was a problem before we pulled out, surely it’s a bigger problem now?

Breaking Iran Deal will help NK Deal

Richard Goldberg says, “…this effects upcoming North Korea deal”

hmmm…America did NOT abide by a deal it made with Iran. In what world would Kim Jung Un make any deal with us when we break the deals we’ve made? This is nuts!

The Killing of Qasem Soleimani 

Although I firmly believe Trump is the worst President we’ve ever had, I do support some things he does. I support taking out Soleimani despite the risks. I just fear that Trump has no next steps, no end game, no plan, and he refuses to listen and learn.

For the Republican warmongers on the far right, this is a very predictable next step to war with Iran and will make them very happy. This is one of the obvious next steps to war after Trump unilaterally and with no long term plan pulled out of the JCPOA.

Again, Soleimani was a bad man and I support taking him out, but I sure hope Trump has a long term plan. I fear he doesn’t and this was just a feel good moment. I have observed no diplomatic skills in Trump. Has anyone seen any diplomatic skills by Trump at all? What’s the best argument for Trump’s diplomatic skills?

Finally, will killing Soleimani create more terrorists or less?