Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Netanyahu, in Speech to Congress, Criticizes ‘Bad Deal’ on Iran Nuclear Program
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel spoke before Congress against the deal with Iran concerning nuclear weapons. He believes it will not be able to stop the violence and will instead "guarantee" it. Obama has said that Netanyahu didn't even present another option or way of dealing with the nuclear weapons in Iran. This article also writes about the possible ways to deal with this issue. What do you think of Netanyahu's speech? Do you support a certain way to deal with Iran's nuclear weapons?
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I agree with the Democrats that Boehner schedules Mr. Netanyahu's visit without consulting the White House and giving Obama time to prepare. The Republicans are just trying to make the Obama administration look bad. However, it seems like Netanyahu's speech is genuine and that he is in fear of the security of his country. I think the US will help with the situation, I just don't know which tactic they will use.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how the Democrats blamed Mr. Netanyahu and Speaker Boehner for arranging the event without ever consulting the White House in an effort to undercut the president. That being said, I do agree with Republicans for being upset with Obama, he should not have reacted with such hostility towards the genuine concerns of an endangered ally. I think the US should take what Mr. Netanyahu is saying seriously. I agree with Mr. Netanyahu when he says the US should not agree to any deal with Iran until they stop threatening Israel.
ReplyDeleteIt's shameful that the Obama administration has politicized the grave concerns of our lone ally in the Middle East while downplaying the existential threat that Iran poses to Israel, America, and the entire civilized world. Obama has personally acted extremely hostile towards the more mature Netanyahu, perhaps because Netanyahu, by drawing attention to the danger and untrustworthiness of Iran's Islamist regime, and criticizing the flexibility the deal gives this murderous regime, risks sabotaging a deal that Obama sees as an opportunity to cement his legacy. In reality, the potential deal is a dangerously lenient agreement that will, as Netanyahu aptly stated, enable and ensure Iran's nuclear capabilities. As far as Obama's untruthful assertion that Netanyahu did not offer a viable alternative to the atrocious deal Obama is coordinating, maybe if Obama had had the decency to attend the speech, he would have heard Netanyahu's proposals, which included maintaining economic sanctions, not loosening them, in order to put internal pressure on the Iranian regime. Netanyahu also suggested using America's leverage to its advantage in negotiations, instead of capitulating to Iran's demands, because Iran is more desperate for a deal than we are. Also, I'm not sure how providing an influential platform for Netanyahu to speak "undercuts" the President. If asked whether Netanyahu could speak, Obama would have said no. What then? Should Congress just obey his orders, or do they have a right to exert their own authority and invite Netanyahu? I'm wondering how the critics would have imagined this playing out under those circumstances. Is Obama really so intolerant of criticism that he has to badmouth Republicans simply for allowing an alternate viewpoint to be heard on an issue that will have global security ramifications?
ReplyDeleteI think that Netanyahu makes a very compelling argument. Although at this time ISIS is a very big concern for America, we also can't lose sight of who we are aiding in the fight against them. We have a history of bad blood with Iran, and it could be really dangerous if they got ahold of nuclear weapons. Iran and America are definitely not allies, but I think in there time of crisis against ISIS that is when we stop seeing them for what they are. I think it is a good reminder from Netanyahu to continue to fight ISIS, but don't help Iran too much since they are still a threat as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how I stand on this issue. Setting up this speech without consulting Obama clearly undermines his authority, and I'm sure Netanyahu realized this. The controversy surrounding his speech simply got him media attention. However, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, since Netanyahu is clearly and genuinely concerned for his country. As the leader of one of the main countries in conflict with and neighboring Iran, Netanyahu and his administration probably has a better grasp on the issue and what to do to remedy it. Israel does need the US's help to implement whatever they have in plan, though, so Netanyahu must be sure to be respectful to our commander in chief.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Barack Obama does not have very much room to complain about a breach of established protocol (in inviting Netanyahu). If Obama can make laws without Congress through executive order, I'm pretty sure John Boehner can invite someone to merely speak before Congress. Second, Netanyahu is right, the nuclearized radical Islamist state is terrifying, and must be stopped. Iran
ReplyDeleteI think that Netanyahu brought an interesting light to the idea of stopping ISIS. It tends to be the United States' role to help other countries or stop the problems in them. This is not an exception, just as the United States ignored the Rwandan Genocide, it seems that the US has turned its cheek to ISIS as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the idea of the Speaker of the House just inviting world leaders to our country to speak to our Congress without consulting the president. Like it or not, he is the leader of this country and deserves some respect and courtesy. This action just seemed immature to me. However, I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech was very important and his side needed to be heard. I just wish he could have come in different circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI think that it was inappropriate that the Israeli Prime Minister was invited to the United States as the Iranian Nuclear Treaty is being discussed in Congress. As we are trying to create relations between Iran, which we haven't had in many years, we are straining our relationship with Israel. I do not support the ownership of WMD's overall, but giving one country more power than another may begin a harmful power struggle.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really sure where Boehner overstepped. Boehner is in charge of congress and he invited Netanyahu to speak before congress. He did not invite him to dinner at the White House or anything like that. I mean sure it would have been nice of him to give Obama a phone call or send him an email or something but this has gotten far too much media attention in my opinion. In terms of helping out Israel, I think it would be in Netanyahu's favor to stay on Obamas good side if he wants help with dealing with crisis in the Middle East.
ReplyDeleteIt may not seem like a "good deal", as it isn't particularly thorough in preventing Iran from acquiring any weapons of mass destruction at all, I think it is a slow and necessary step in the right direction. The fact that the US and Iran could negotiate at all seems like a win in my book, and I think that in a new relationship between countries, there has to be a slow introduction and a building of trust before any drastic movements can be made.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that any member of congress should undermine the president. No matter the administration and no matter the member of congress. This government is in shambles because there's a lack of communication and it's starting to look more like a pissing contest than a government. As for the nuclear crisis, anything that can be done to limit iran's nuclear power should be done. We have to take what we can get and any complaints by those who disagree with the course of action are ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that there was no communication between Congress and the White House about Netanyahu's visit is disgraceful. The rest of the world already views the United States as bumbling idiots and then they pull this stunt which not only makes Obama look bad, but also Congress and our whole political system. We are not setting a good model of democracy for countries like Iran. On another note, since Israel is an important and longtime ally of the United States I think we should show more respect to their Prime Minister and give his words some serious thought.
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