ERIC HOGAN: Iran deal one of insanity

The practical effect of this incredibly bad nuclear deal that has been negotiated with Iran is that President Obama will be financing the Iranian nuclear program with the $100 billion plus cash injection the Iranians receive for approving the deal. Any leftover funds will be available to increase their position as already the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the world. Iran is assured it can become a nuclear power — legally in 10 years or sooner if they decide to cheat.

A homicidal, suicidal, end-of-days regime with nuclear weapons — that makes for a bright future for the world. Obama has elevated Iran from an existential regional problem to a global one. All the hope-and-changers will be ecstatic up until the instant they get nuked.

We were originally promised inspections anywhere, anytime to guarantee compliance. But because of Obama’s desperation to get any kind of deal, we can now only request inspections for military and other suspicious sites, and the Iranians can properly refuse under the agreement. This triggers a minimum 24-day appeal process that resembles arbitration in which the Iranians are part of the decision-making team. This insanity would be laughable if it were not so deadly serious.

Basically, it boils down to the fact that we are supposed to trust a radical Islamic Iranian regime that constantly threatens to wipe Israel off the map and places no merit on such quaint Western values as truth, ethics or integrity. Murder, mayhem and deception are standard operating procedure for the Iranian mullahs. Apparently, Obama is unable to comprehend the 9th-grade concepts that diplomacy is only effective when backed up by the real threat of decisive action and a deal with confirmed liars is worth nothing.

This deal will put more pressure on Israel to consider unilateral action, or pray that nothing bad happens for 17 months until the U.S. hopefully gets a capable new commander in chief. They might even consider forming an Iran opposing alliance with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, both of whom will soon be wanting their own nukes. How does a nuclear arms race in the most unstable region of the world grab you?

Of course, we already know that Obama is historically and militarily misguided and incompetent, but consider the recent historical track record of appeasing rogue regimes. How did the Munich Agreement work out for Neville Chamberlain in preventing war with Hitler’s Nazis, or Bill Clinton’s nuclear deal with North Korea to stop them from developing nukes? There is a timeless, poignant saying about the lessons of history, but the delusional narcissist Obama pays that no heed.

Appeasers always say the only alternative to their foolish concessions is war. The reality is that just the opposite is true. Up until recently, Iran had been growing increasingly desperate for relief from the sanctions that had crippled their economy, shrunk their GDP by 25 percent, and caused substantial unemployment and unrest. Obama’s loosening of the sanctions the past couple of years and willingness to cast them all aside for a few unverifiable concessions was like a dream too good to be true.

In contrast, the world had no need to rush and could have patiently waited for Iran’s collapsing economy to force them to give up on the bomb. There were many alternatives other than war available for dealing with Hitler from 1936 to 1939. But, after 1939, it was either war or surrender.

Start preparing for an Iran than in five years will be richer, more aggressive, better armed, and have greatly reduced internal dissent. At that point the various other options disappear and the only possible way to stop them will probably be war.

Remember Chamberlain’s famous promise to the British people when he returned home from Munich in 1938 with his agreement with Hitler. We will have “Peace For Our Time.” Place your bets now.

Eric Hogan, a resident of Tybee Island, is an amateur historian. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech and Mercer Law School and has owned a a real estate development company for the past 25 years.