Since we're currently chatting about foreign policy in class I figured I'd veer from the Boston bombings and poisoned letters mailed to Washington and see what was going on over in the Middle East. There's always something.
Many experts who recently left the Obama administration are urging the President to rethink his strict stance on Iran including the oil sanctions and covert operations arguing that they will just push the Iranian government further into the depths of corruption and strain relationships between our two countries further.
It's hard since Congress and Israel, our greatest ally, are pulling us in different directions. As we are currently learning know Congress wants to be a part of the foreign policy making, but does Obama listen to Congress or go the way of Israel since they've been on our side?
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
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I don't want Congress part of foreign policy making. If they can't even do their own job here in the United States, why do they think they can "help" with foreign affairs. It makes me laugh! Whether or not Obama chooses to help Congress or help Israel, I think he will do what is right for the American people. I, myself, want him to help Israel because right now, Congress is just ticking me off.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that it's our best interest to help Israel. They have been one of our most dedicated allies. If the US wanted some help, Israel would be the first ones to help us. I also believe that Iran is too underdeveloped to reach a nuclear state currently, but that's not to say that we should just blow them off. (Get it? Ha. Ha. Ha.)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Aubrey in that Congress should not play a role in foreign policy since they are failing miserably at everything else. We should not let up or sanctions on Iran. And it is imperative that we help Israel. Not because if we needed help, they would be there for us- because if we needed help Israel would not be able to do much- because they are a very valuable ally and represent democracy in a region where democracy can be found nowhere else.
ReplyDeleteNope, why should we lift sanctions on a country that often openly insults us and is in not held in high regard by our biggest ally. No, I say keep relationships with Iran as is and help Israel. As for Congress, no, just no. We are already witnessing what happens when congress becomes divided on issues such as gun control and basically everything else, could you even imagine if this happened with foreign policy? They would be even more dysfunctional than they already are.
ReplyDeleteThe sanction on Iran are already very severe and they have proven that no amount of sanctions will make them stop pursuing nuclear capabilities, so there doesn't seem like much reason to sanction them more besides making Israel happy. I do not think this is necessary though. There are more effective ways to combat Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons like pressure countries allied with the Iran to issue sanctions and warnings. I am not worried about Congress trying to interfere too much with foreign policy because they have no reason to and there is no pressure on them to do so. Also because of the structure of the government, their ability to affect foreign policy is very limited compared to the executive branch's.
ReplyDeleteI believe we need to stand up to Iran and support Israel. They are the only true democracy in the Middle East, and Iran could become a threat to multiple countries. And yes, it seems like right now, Congress does not need to be getting involved in this. Can you imagine a filibuster for example when an urgent decision needs to be made?!
ReplyDeleteIsrael remains a strong ally for us and we should continue to support them, not just because they could help us later on, which wouldn't be much help at that, but because they represent democracy in a region that has many unstable governments. We should also keep sanctions in Iran because they openly insult us and still remain a threat.
ReplyDeleteAlthough their help may not be huge it is still something. We shouldn't give up on them. They are a strong ally. The representation of democracy in a country in that region is rare and should not be overlooked.
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