A Blank Check for War on Iran
As we approach the centennial of World War I, we will read much of the blunders that produced that tragedy of Western civilization.
Among them will be the “blank check” Kaiser Wilhelm II gave to Vienna after the assassination by a Serb terrorist of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand.
If you decide to punish the Serbs, said the Kaiser, we are with you.
After dithering for weeks, Austria shelled Belgrade. Within a week, Germany and Austria were at war with Russia, France and Great Britain.
Today the Senate is about to vote Israel a virtual blank check – for war on Iran. Reads Senate bill S.1881:
If Israel is “compelled to take military action in legitimate self-defense against Iran’s nuclear weapons program,” the United States “should stand with Israel and provide … diplomatic, military and economic support to the Government of Israel in the defense of its territory, people and existence.”
Inserted in that call for U.S. military action to support an Israeli strike on Iran, S.1881 says that, in doing so, we should follow our laws and constitutional procedures.
Nevertheless, this bill virtually hands over the decision on war to Bibi Netanyahu who is on record saying: “This is 1938. Iran is Germany.”
Is this the man we want deciding whether America fights her fifth war in a generation in the Mideast? Do we really want to outsource the decision on war in the Persian Gulf, the gas station of the world, to a Likud regime whose leaders routinely compare Iran to Nazi Germany?
The bill repeatedly asserts that Iran has a “nuclear weapons program.”
Yet in both 2007 and 2011, U.S. intelligence declared “with high confidence” that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program.
Where is the Senate’s evidence for its claim? Why has Director of National Intelligence James Clapper not been called to testify as to whether Tehran has made the decision to go for a bomb?
Why are the American people being kept in the dark?
Are we being as misled, deceived and lied to about Iran’s “weapons of mass destruction,” as we were about Iraq’s?
The bill says that in a final deal Iran must give up all enrichment of uranium. However, we have already been put on notice by President Hassan Rouhani that this is an ultimatum Iran cannot accept.
Even the reformers of Iran’s Green Revolution of 2009 back their country’s right to a peaceful nuclear program including enrichment.
Senate bill S.1881 imposes new sanctions if Iran fails to live up to the interim agreement or fails to come to a final agreement in six months.
Yet the Senate knows that Iran has warned that if new sanctions are voted during negotiations, they will walk away from the table.
Why is the Senate risking, or even inviting, a blowup in these talks?
When the interim agreement was reached, it was denounced by neocons as “worse than Munich.” Now the War Party piously contends this Senate bill is simply an “insurance policy” to ensure that the terms of the deal are met and a final deal reached.
It is nothing of the sort. This bill is a project of AIPAC, the Israeli lobby, designed to sabotage and scuttle the Geneva talks by telling Tehran: Either capitulate and dismantle all your enrichment facilities, or face more severe sanctions which will put us on the road to war.
What terrifies AIPAC and Bibi is not an American war on Iran, but an American rapprochement with Iran.
Who are the leaders of the push for S.1881? Sens. Mark Kirk and Robert Menendez, the biggest recipients of AIPAC campaign cash.
Last weekend, the Obama National Security Council finally belled the cat with a blunt statement by spokesperson Bernadette Meehan:
“If certain members of Congress want the United States to take military action [against Iran], they should be up front with the American public and say so.”
Exactly. For whether or not all these senators understand what they are doing, this is where their bill points – to a scuttling of the Geneva talks and a return to the sanctions road, at the end of which lies a U.S. war with Iran.
A majority of Democratic senators have thus far bravely bucked AIPAC and declined to co-sponsor S.1881. However, all but two Republican senators have signed on.
If, after Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, the GOP has once again caught the war fever, the party should be quarantined from the White House for another four years.
Press Secretary Jay Carney says that if S.1881 passes, Obama will veto it. The president should tell Congress that not only will he veto it, but that if Israel decides on its own to attack Iran, Israel will be on its own in the subsequent war.
Obama should order U.S. intelligence to tell us the truth.
Is Iran truly hell-bent on acquiring a nuclear bomb? Does Iran have a nuclear bomb program? If so, when did Tehran make that decision?
Or are we being lied into war again?
COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM
Read more by Patrick J. Buchanan
- Why Neo-Isolationism Is Soaring – December 19th, 2013
- Are the Senkakus Worth a War? – December 12th, 2013
- Let Obama Play the Iran Hand – November 28th, 2013
- Is the Superpower Afraid of Iran? – November 25th, 2013
- A Deal With Iran – or War With Iran? – November 11th, 2013
johnny in wi.
January 13th, 2014 at 10:12 pm
Amen Pat: This gang won't rest until we are in WW3. Senator Robert M. La Follette Sr. of my state Wi. led a filibuster against Wilson's bill to arm the American merchant marine. It stopped the rush to war for a short time. We need a similar filibuster by some brave Senators now. It is in my opinion the only way to stop this gang. The people are fed up with wars and warmongers. We need a real opposition in this country. Will it happen? That is very doubtful.
John V. Walsh
January 13th, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Right on the money, Buchanan. Israel is a luxury the US Empire can no longer afford. Cut it loose.
But let us remember that the reason Obama and others want to disengage from the Middle East is to turn their full resources to the Far East and bringing down China. That will take us out of the frying pan and into the fire, possibly the fire of WWIII.
So let us cheer for rapprochement with Iran but prepare ourselves for a much bigger struggle to keep our country from military action in East Asia. We need to pursue a win-win strategy with China and that means no US hegemony in East Asia.
nomange
January 13th, 2014 at 10:30 pm
I imagine Abe Foxman will attack Pat's analysis, clear headed as it is, as being anti-semitic. (I wonder, can one be a 'self hating' goy?) Our country will have huge business opportunities in Iran if a rapprochement is reached. So, Israel's fear is not a military attack, it is a loss of influence in the U.S., something not easily contemplated at this time with AIPAC and its affiliates permeating so much of what the US does. It is also economic competition from Iran both regionally and with Europe. Israel has been relying on the sale of natural gas from its Leviathan project to bring it to some measure of economic independence. It is also counting on marginalizing the economic influence and R&D potential of Iran, one of its partners in the technology incubator project planned for the Middle East, which was to be sited in Amman, Jordan (though with the Syrian crisis in full play, one wonders if the 2015 scheduled completion date will be met). So, there is no existential threat, except the one that has been emanating from Netanyahu. It's about Israel's influence and imperial ambitions, and the need to destroy every potential competitor or independent neighbor.
bob
January 13th, 2014 at 10:52 pm
Get with the program, Pat. Don't you know this is the United States of Israel?
A Blank Check for War on Iran | Omaha Free Press
January 13th, 2014 at 11:00 pm
[…] post A Blank Check for War on Iran appeared first on The Bat Country […]
RockyRococo
January 14th, 2014 at 12:13 am
Why is the Senate inviting a blowup in the talks? Because the strategy is working. Already Obama has announced plans to "take action against Iran" if the talks fail. Passing a new sanctions bill is the quickest, most direct route to causing the failure of the talks, and therefore Obama's "action". This effort is thoroughly bipartisan; wise Americans from Mark Twain to George Carlin have warned us about such "bipartisan" undertakings. The War Party is bipartisan. The Peace Party is non-partisan. It's a vital distinction we must always keep in mind. Both parties want, and need, war. Only we mere citizens want, and need, peace.
sherban
January 14th, 2014 at 2:26 am
But the fact is that not AIPAC is forcing Senators but their ideology.If AIPAC would doesn't know with whom it is dealing ,it would not dare.McCain and Graham were recently in Israel to press Bibi not accept any solution forwarded by Kerry.Or in a simpler way:The money of AIPAC change the mind of American senators or the mind of American Senators encourage AIPAC to support them?
David
January 14th, 2014 at 6:17 am
Every recent US President has had to deal numerous times with Israeli threats to "take action against Iran". Every one of these Presidents has had to spend time to prevent Israel from committing such dangerous folly. It is almost criminal that these "pro" Senators cannot grasp that a good final deal with Iran will relieve the current and future Presidents hence our nation from having to retreat from the brink of war with Iran over-and-over again.
anndoc
January 14th, 2014 at 8:39 am
The senators co-sponsoring of S1881 demonstrate that the actions emanating from the NJ governor's staff are no aberration but are, in fact, part of the mainstream of right-wing political tactics. No wonder the GOP establishment is rushing to Cristie's defense.
"Bring on the Cones".
curmudgeonvt
January 14th, 2014 at 9:22 am
For years there has been a palpable yearning for a viable "peace candidate." But all that seem to percolate to the top of currency are flakes and/or fruitcakes or have some otherwise yet undiscovered ugly baggage conveniently revealed at the appropriate time, of course. There doesn't seem to be a desire from the ruling class/elites to venture forth into the fray. Why only mention "ruling class/elites" you ask? Because the un-moneyed/un-connected have no chance of success in the divisive ideology-driven political arena we are now mired in. I fear that a viable candidate of "peace" will not happen until the American people have experienced an awakening that will most likely only come after a disastrous collapse of society, assuming there is something left besides ashes.
Dusan
January 14th, 2014 at 11:09 am
The Serb assassin of the archduke was not a terrorist but a freedom fighter. Austro-Hungaria anexed Bosnia in 1908.
RICinOR
January 14th, 2014 at 11:16 am
Many people believed they were voting for a "real opposition" by electing Obama. Look where that got them.
RICinOR
January 14th, 2014 at 11:31 am
"Or are we being lied into war again?" Is there a war we haven't been lied or otherwise manipulated into? The common people do not want war, never have, never will, because they do the dying. It is the rich who promote war to enhance their own wealth and power while generally avoiding the possibility of any wound more serious than a paper cut – or hernia – sustained while counting profits.
Empire Slayer
January 14th, 2014 at 11:55 am
Are we being as misled, deceived and lied to about Iran’s “weapons of mass destruction,” as we were about Iraq’s?"
Don't forget Syria.
Anti_Govt_Rebel
January 14th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Luxury?
"A Blank Check for War on Iran" by Patrick Buchanan ... Senate Bill 1881 One Way Street Alliance
January 14th, 2014 at 2:07 pm
[…] Interesting …….. AIPAC Congressional whores must be tried for high treason …… The subterranean war between the zio crazies and their even more diabolical Rothschildist co-religionists may well take on a public face soon …. A Blank Check for War on Iran by Patrick J. Buchanan — Antiwar.com […]
Orville H. Larson
January 14th, 2014 at 2:47 pm
In other words, NuttyYahoo attacks Iran, and then says to the U.S., "Hey, there, America! Now that we've attacked Iran, you'd better jump in and take over for us!"
An attack on Iran by the Zionist entity and/or the U.S. would be an act of criminal aggression.
Orville H. Larson
January 14th, 2014 at 3:01 pm
The U.S. Government is broken. It's lawless at home and abroad.
Our political system is a friggin' disgrace. Every four years, the DemoPublican Party puts up two
bought-and-paid-for hacks for President. (Who's it going to be in 2016–The Pantsuited One vs.
The Overfed One?!)
Sam
January 14th, 2014 at 4:32 pm
Peace is ultima ratio and should win.
Claus Eric Hamle
January 14th, 2014 at 4:39 pm
The 59 Senators are traitors, ordinary people going to work will have to pay 5 times more for gas-and so, for everything ! Even more stupid are the missiles in Romania, Poland and on 32 ships in the Mediterranean Sea, 4 now stationed in Cadiz-TO DEFEND US FROM IRAN, CLAIM THE US AND NATO-Chief AFR ! To defend us from Iran! BUT THE RUSSIANS AREN'T STUPID ! Of course, the result will be Launch On Warning, probably by 2017. For the Russians the most important is to not die alone. STOP THE MISSILES OR COMMIT SUICIDE !!!
Eileen K.
January 14th, 2014 at 5:25 pm
The late General Douglas MacArthur had warned against any land war(s) in Asia. He knew what such a land war was all about, having commanded one in WWII and was later dismissed from command in Korea.
Apparently, that warning was not heeded, as the 10-year Vietnam War turned into a complete fiasco, as some 60,000 US forces were killed; and the US was finally driven out in 1975. And, still ignoring MacArthur's warning nearly two decades later with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." ~ Georges Santayana
pendulum
January 14th, 2014 at 5:43 pm
WW3 with china would require an intennment camp the size of texas.
Thomas
January 14th, 2014 at 7:08 pm
It is so frustrating to see how we are OWNED, even in WAR!!! by those who bribe our politicians. The ones who demand our aid while they SPY on us, and sell our secrets they steal to our enemies….. OUR No.1 recipient of aid…..
@tomofsnj
January 14th, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Why not require an equal number of Israel soldiers on the ground with rifles next to our soldiers who will protect the backs of the IDF. Israel has never provided one man hour to any military effort that involved USA troops. MAybe it is time to be fair and let the IDF have some of the heroes.
@tomofsnj
January 14th, 2014 at 9:14 pm
I would not call bribery support. AIPAC and Israel gets billions so they return millions to those that gave them billions. It really is one sick system if you think about it. It will get us all killed eventually.
Anonymous
January 14th, 2014 at 9:36 pm
[…] now CONSERVATIVE Pat Buchanan on the new anti-Iran deal: A Blank Check for War on Iran by Patrick J. Buchanan — Antiwar.com "Today the Senate is about to vote Israel a virtual blank check – for war on Iran. […]
John
January 15th, 2014 at 12:13 pm
Here is the solution. Senate and House need to form a cabal. A cabal that is opposed to AIPAC and Israeli intransigence. They must be loud. They must clearly show American interests over that of Israel. AIPAC's influence will be diminished to an embarrassing minority. America will receive political leverage against our most lavishly supported alley (sic) –Israel. Solitary politicians do not survive eg. Fulbright, most recently Kacinich of Ohio.
Come Mosca contrasta la nota Lobby (di Maurizio Blondet) | Rischio Calcolato
January 15th, 2014 at 11:25 pm
[…] Patrick Buchanan, il grande columnist, ha definito questo progetto di legge «un assegno in bianco per la guerra all’Iran», che «consegna la decisione della guerra a Bibi Netanyahu», il paranoico grave che dice: «questo è il 1938, l’Iran è la Germania», e vuole trascinare gli americani nella loro «quinta guerra in Medio Oriente in una generazione». (A Blank Check for War on Iran) […]