Obama Sounds the Retreat

President Obama’s Cairo speech had a number of serious shortcomings, including a fixation on moral equivalence among Israel, its neighbors, and the Palestinians who have and continue to reject the Jewish state’s right to exist. But no part of the speech was quite so troublesome, or as dangerous, as the words he devoted to the looming threat posed by Iran — a country bent not only on acquiring nuclear arms but on destroying Israel, in part by aiding and abetting terrorist groups.

Obama had this to say:

It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America’s interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.

I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

And that’s it. Really.

If you missed the part about America’s resolute commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear arms, you are not alone. If you missed his castigation of Iran for fomenting violence, killing American servicemen in Iraq, and flouting international agreements on everything from nuclear inspection to genocide, you are not alone.

It is, no doubt, music to the mullahs’ ears to hear that there is no prohibition on proceeding with their program. After all, the president declared himself helpless to tell another country that it lacks the right to acquire nuclear weapons. All he could muster on the subject of preventing Iran from acquiring such weapons? He is “hopeful that all countries in the region can share this goal.”

Observers have speculated on whether Obama was truly serious about denying Iran nuclear weapons. He declared it “unacceptable,” but many wondered if this was doublespeak for “we don’t like it, but we can live with it.” Now it is clear that Obama has not the moral gumption nor the political will to declare it to be American policy to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.

And that, he must at some point realize, spells disaster for his sugar-plum fantasy of a bomb-free world. Can other Arab states resist acquiring such weapons if Iran does? Can any nation?

In a remarkable interview leading up to the speech, Obama mused that Iran had the right to pursue a “peaceful” nuclear program. Republicans, like Pete Roskam (R-IL), were quick to object:

President Obama’s recent comment in support of Iranian nuclear power is both shocking and reckless. Supporting Iran’s “legitimate [nuclear] aspirations” ignores all recent history and smacks of the same naive and misguided approach that allowed for North Korea to gain nuclear power — and now possess nuclear weapons. In a bow to our worst enemies, the president is showing a striking ability to imitate former President Jimmy Carter.

In just recent memory, Iran has funded terrorist activities against U.S. troops and our allies, called for the destruction of both the U.S. and our strong ally Israel, and sought to systematically destabilize the Middle East and world. Does the president believe Iran wants nuclear power to do their part in combating climate change? Iran has made it abundantly clear what sinister plans they have with nuclear power — and both the U.S. and our allies have great reason to worry.

There are few scenarios worse than Iran gaining nuclear power — and subsequently nuclear weapons — to threaten and potentially attack the U.S. and our closest allies. The president should immediately recant his support for Iranian nuclear power and consider better options to protect our nation, not endanger it.

The president fails to appreciate all of these uncomfortable truths. Instead, he spins a fantasy world in which Iran doesn’t want to see him disappointed and joins a non-proliferation effort for the sake of harmony and peace. This dangerously naïve vision undermines longstanding international agreements and sanction efforts, makes Israel less secure (and entirely unwilling to make “risks” for peace), and communicates to friendly Arab states that they had better look out for themselves — the U.S. is not about to stand in the way of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

As speeches go, this will be a memorable one. Students of history will recall the speech in which Dean Acheson left South Korea off the list of countries within the sphere of American protection, precipitating the Korea War. Obama’s declaration of impotence with regard to the Iranian threat may prove even more costly.