It is the time of year we feel a sense of joy and optimism. We are preparing
for the holidays and looking to spend time with our families and friends. This
year as we look back we see several developments that leave us feeling optimistic.
A US attack on Syria was averted to a large degree because the American people
did not want another Middle Eastern war. Public pressure was so strong that
President Obama was forced to back down from his threats to launch missiles
at Syria over an alleged Syrian government chemical attack. We have just recently
discovered that US claims at the time were based on highly manipulated "intelligence." The
president narrowly avoided another Iraq debacle, where the US went to war based
on lies and fabrications. This time the American people were much more skeptical.
That is good news!
A US attack on Syria would have brought us one step closer to the neocons'
ultimate goal of an attack on Iran. The administration's decision to step back
from the brink with Syria has consequently opened the door to an historic US
diplomatic engagement with Iran.
Yes, the neocons have suffered a number of defeats this year for which we
have great reason to be thankful and optimistic. However, it would be foolish
to believe that a couple of defeats will end their obsession with American
exceptionalism, war, and the US global empire. Though the neocons have had
several set-backs, they will continue their efforts. And there are some dark
clouds on the horizon that we should closely watch.
The Senate, for example, seems intent on ruining the Christmas spirit - a
time when Christians celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace -- with new
threats against Iran, even as diplomacy has achieved what decades of sanctions
could not.
While US Senate efforts to include new Iran sanctions language in the National
Defense Authorization Act for 2014 (NDAA) were unsuccessful, those pushing
for more sanctions on Iran even in the midst of a diplomatic thaw have not
given up. Last week 26 Senators - drawn equally from each party -- introduced
the Nuclear Weapons Free Iran Act, which would impose severe new sanctions
on Iran and on countries who do business with Iran.
Perhaps worse, the Act states that it is the sense of the Congress that if
Israel attacks Iran, the US Congress should:
"[A]uthorize the use of military force, diplomatic, military, and economic
support to the Government of Israel in its defense of its territory, people,
and existence."
Even though a "sense of Congress" has no force of law, these are the kinds
of blank checks that lead to world wars. Though not binding, language like
this is meant to establish US policy over time, so that if Israel does attack
Iran, enough Senators will be on record supporting US involvement that they
feel compelled to vote for war. This is the game they played for more than
a decade with Iraq legislation.
The Senate bill is unlikely to ever become law, but even if it did, it would
not succeed. Its demand that the rest of the world stop doing business with
Iran just as Iran has shown such diplomatic flexibility would likely be ignored.
Congress - under the influence of the Israeli and Saudi lobbies -- is seeking
to derail the Obama Administration's diplomatic efforts with Iran. We can be
optimistic over the steps toward peace this past year, but we should remain
vigilant. The war lobby will not give up so easily.
