Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced an end to the waivers that have allowed seven countries to purchase oil from Iran. Into what grand scheme does this action fit? It certainly furthers the Trump policy of putting the big hurt on Iran. But to what purpose? To punish Iran for scrupulously obeying – as verified by rigorous international inspections – the nuclear arms deal they signed with President Obama and other leaders representing altogether over 62% of world GDP? That makes no sense.
As they say, “Cui bono?” To whose benefit? President Trump in a way, because he gets to impose his personal will on world events. But who really gains? One needn’t dig too deeply to see the prime beneficiaries are the two states whose favor Trump most avidly curries: Israel and Saudi Arabia. Relocating our embassy in the former to Jerusalem, handing the latter’s heir apparent a “Get out of jail free” card for murder, and now with this gift to both he has demonstrated his eagerness to please.
Has our country received concessions in return for his largesse? Has he demanded Israel cease building settlements on stolen Palestinian lands? Insisted the Saudis terminate their barbaric war in Yemen? Neither! We have received nothing while our president basks in self-generated grandiosity. If we were a private corporation and our negotiator in chief performed so abysmally, we would have shown him the door and handed him a cardboard sign reading “Will work (but not too hard) for food.”
It must be an oversight – the Constitution fails to list sheer incompetence as grounds for removal.
WILLIAM POLITT
Weare