Trump is a disaster, and the roll-out of the Immigration Ban was as fouled up as it good be.
But there are two signs that maybe we aren’t completely screwed:
- Trump is backing off his pledge to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Obama made a similar pledge in 2008 – and did nothing as well.
- After blasting the Iranians for a missile launch the White House made clear they are planning new sanctions on Iran.
But then the Huffington Post notes:
“As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice,” Flynn added.
But just a few hours later, senior administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity reiterated that Flynn’s “notice” is completely unrelated to the agreement struck by former President Barack Obama that required Iran to dismantle its nuclear program in return for the lifting of some economic sanctions.
“These missile concerns are separate and apart from [the Iran nuclear agreement], so we’re keeping a very big line between these issues. There should be no doubt about that,” said one of the officials, who added that Iran is “absolutely not” violating that agreement, despite the missile test.
My biggest fear of a Trump Presidency in foreign affairs has always been an air strike in Iran. The fact the White House is talking sanctions suggests this isn’t likely, as is the statement that Iran is abiding by the Nuclear Agreement.
Of course,Trump would not be Trump unless he insulted some US Ally of longstanding: today it was Australia’s turn.