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WSJ: 10/16/2017 John Bolton: “A Slow Death for the Iran Deal”
Bolton, quoting Charles de Gaulle “treaties are like girls and roses; they last while they last” is historically interesting but less than charming. His essay about the failures of the Iranian Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) seems to be derived from three points: |
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Bolton’s Opinion |
Facts |
| The West’s collapse was a grave error – allowing uranium enrichment. “Barack Obama and the Europeans conceded to Iran’s insistence that it would never give up uranium enrichment.” | In July 2015, Iran had almost 20,000 centrifuges. Under the JCPOA, it will be limited to installing no more than 5,060 of the oldest and least efficient centrifuges at Natanz for 10 years. The JCPOA says Iran will not be permitted to build additional heavy-water reactors or accumulate any excess heavy water for 15 years. |
| Breakout time (time needed to develop nuclear weapons) “Mr. Obama’s ephemeral and inaccurate propaganda without constraining Iran.” | Iran also agreed not to engage in activities, including research and development, which could contribute to the development of a nuclear bomb. |
| “…there is serious risk Tehran will evade the intelligence and inspections efforts, and we will find out too late Tehran already possesses nuclear weapons.” | Should Iran violate any aspect of the deal, the UN sanctions will automatically “snap back” into place for 10 years, with the possibility of a five-year extension.
Iran also agreed to the continuation of the UN arms embargo on the country for up to five years, although it could end earlier if the IAEA is satisfied that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful. A UN ban on the import of ballistic missile technology will also remain in place for up to eight years. |
No rationale – just opinions and of course Obama bashing – same old world-scare vision.