Some guy named Pompeo is now the U.S. Secretary of State. His fast ascent to power is a strong indication of his excellence in demagoguery. It is well always to remind ourselves that a demagogue is “a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power”. This describes Pompeo and his boss, Donald Trump.
Pompeo has put his demagogic skills to work by making 12 demands on Iran. They are stupid, impossible, outrageous, and provocative. They are the opposite of diplomatic. They are also factually erroneous when they cite facts. The overall low level of this episode is shameful.
The first demand reads “Iran must declare to the IAEA a full account of the prior military dimensions of its nuclear program, and permanently and verifiably abandon such work in perpetuity.”
Iran already declared a full account of its nuclear-related activities to the IAEA, and the IAEA examined the case and gave Iran a clean bill of health. This occurred on Dec. 15, 2015. The IAEA declared
“The Agency assesses that a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device were conducted in Iran prior to the end of 2003 as a coordinated effort, and some activities took place after 2003.
“The Agency also assesses that these activities did not advance beyond feasibility and scientific studies, and the acquisition of certain relevant technical competences and capabilities.
“The Agency has no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009. Nor has the Agency found any credible indications of the diversion of nuclear material in connection with the possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme.”
Pompeo demagogues the issue to all Americans by acting as if this has never happened. He clearly defines himself as a man who is exceedingly dangerous to the safety of Americans.
Pompeo demands of Iran an impossibility, which is that it “permanently and verifiably abandon such work in perpetuity.” Why should Iran, which is a signer of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that actually allows a certain amount of peaceful nuclear-related activities, give up this option? Why should Iran ever permanently commit to giving up military nuclear options when it faces hostile forces? Would it not be senseless to lay the country open to external hostile elements? Why should Iran even consider the kind of verification that Pompeo has in mind, which involves intrusively entering Iran’s military facilities at the whim of the U.S.?
Pompeo demands sort of a one-sided “peace treaty” or “pseudo-agreement” to be entered into by Iran with a sanctions gun to its head.
Pompeo demands that Iran surrender to the U.S.
What Pompeo asks is an absurdity. It’s a lame excuse for hitting Iran at his discretion.
6:08 pm on May 23, 2018
