Former Secretary of State John Kerry complained Thursday that President Donald Trump was ruining everything he and former President Barack Obama achieved with the Iran deal.
“He put his disdain for anything done by the last administration ahead of his duty to keep the country safe,” Kerry wrote in a mournful 1,000 word op-ed for the New York Times. The former secretary of state is currently supporting former Vice President Joe Biden for president and campaigning for him in Iowa.
Kerry argued the Iran nuclear deal was working, but Trump threw it all away, which only empowered Iran’s Quds Force Commander Qasem Suleimani.
“There were no missile attacks on United States facilities. No ships were being detained or sabotaged in the Persian Gulf,” he wrote about the state of the Middle East under the deal. “There were no protesters breaching our embassy in Baghdad. Iraq welcomed our presence fighting ISIS.”
Reporter’s Notebook: House’s final sprint puts SAVE America Act and Iran funding in play
‘Is Mickey Mouse Racist?’: GOP’s Brandon Gill Corners Smithsonian Director on Leftist Policies
New Jersey Dem gov’s blame game backfires after tech company pins noncitizen voter registration on state
US soldier believed to be killed in Jordan attack remembered as living ‘life of courage and selflessness’
From NFL Legend, to NFL Owner, to… WWE Superstar? Tom Brady Slaps Controversial YouTuber
Trump administration has lost or abandoned hundreds of lawsuits against anti-ICE protesters, migrants: report
New report uncovers education groups’ DEI push to shape how artificial intelligence is used in classrooms
Hegseth turns tables on Dems as sparks fly during hearing clash: ‘I put this on you’
Mike Lindell proposes six-month amnesty for illegal immigrants if elected Minnesota governor
Trump flexes GOP muscle in Arizona primaries as Dems dodge far-left upset
Rubio says US remains open to Iran talks but warns there ‘will be consequences’
House narrowly backs allowing troops, Pentagon workers to carry personal guns on military bases
Progressive wave crashes in Sun Belt battleground as moderate holds his seat
House GOP votes to punt government shutdown battle to after November midterms
Woman’s remains identified by DNA in Virginia, exposing second alleged murder linked to same 4 suspects
Kerry even said that although Suleimani was a “sworn” enemy of the United States, America benefited from his efforts to fight ISIS.
“Occasionally, when American and Iranian interests aligned, as they did in fighting ISIS, we were the serendipitous beneficiaries of his relationships and levers, as were the Iraqis,” he said referring to Suleimani. “But this was a rare exception.”
Kerry even praised Iran’s response after they detained 12 American sailors in 2016, thanks to the “foundation of diplomacy” laid by the Obama administration.
“In 2016, we defused deep disagreements with Iran over prisoners and averted conflict when American sailors inadvertently entered Iranian waters and were detained by Iranian forces,” he wrote.
The failed 2004 Democrat presidential candidate accused Trump of alienating American allies in the Middle East and acting “recklessly” without a strategy.
“We have been left with an incoherent Iran and Iraq policy that has made the region more dangerous and put Americans at greater risk,” he wrote.
Reporter’s Notebook: House’s final sprint puts SAVE America Act and Iran funding in play
‘Is Mickey Mouse Racist?’: GOP’s Brandon Gill Corners Smithsonian Director on Leftist Policies
New Jersey Dem gov’s blame game backfires after tech company pins noncitizen voter registration on state
US soldier believed to be killed in Jordan attack remembered as living ‘life of courage and selflessness’
From NFL Legend, to NFL Owner, to… WWE Superstar? Tom Brady Slaps Controversial YouTuber
Trump administration has lost or abandoned hundreds of lawsuits against anti-ICE protesters, migrants: report
New report uncovers education groups’ DEI push to shape how artificial intelligence is used in classrooms
Hegseth turns tables on Dems as sparks fly during hearing clash: ‘I put this on you’
Mike Lindell proposes six-month amnesty for illegal immigrants if elected Minnesota governor
Trump flexes GOP muscle in Arizona primaries as Dems dodge far-left upset
Rubio says US remains open to Iran talks but warns there ‘will be consequences’
House narrowly backs allowing troops, Pentagon workers to carry personal guns on military bases
Progressive wave crashes in Sun Belt battleground as moderate holds his seat
House GOP votes to punt government shutdown battle to after November midterms
Woman’s remains identified by DNA in Virginia, exposing second alleged murder linked to same 4 suspects
Kerry praised former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis for arguing in favor of the agreement and criticized current Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for supporting the president.
The former secretary of state warned of a repeat of the Iraq war or Vietnam under Trump, warning young Americans were frightened about dying in an upcoming war with Iran.
“Our diplomacy should not be defined by bluster, threats and brinkmanship, tweets or temper tantrums, but by a vision for peace and security addressing multiple interests of the region,” he wrote.
Story cited here.
