Posted on 02/13/2009 9:51:52 PM PST by STARWISE
This article was published in Geostrategy-Direct , an open source intelligence (OSINT) newsletter that has a good track record.
The report would probably seem preposterous if it weren't for the fact that Team Obama already waived sanctions on Syria and is considering opening travel to Cuba. It's like watching Carter on Speed.
This latest news comes from the February 18, 2009 edition of Geostrategy Direct (subscribers only):
DOSSIER: Ehud Barak 'Change' the mullahs can believe in: Obama to drop sanctions on Iran
TEL AVIV — Israelis may have gone to the polls hoping for "Change" but the status quo is all any of the candidates could look forward to whatever the outcome. Defense Minister Ehud Barack, has already glimpsed the future and has warned about what it holds.
Meanwhile, the status quo means continued rocket and missile attacks while international aid pours into the Gaza Strip and bolsters a regime run by Hamas, which is still considered by the United States to be a terrorist organization.
But "Change" is taking place, Barak has intimated, originating not in the Mideast but in Washington, D.C. in the form of a U.S. reconciliation with Iran.
Such a process could result in U.S. acceptance of Teheran's nuclear weapons program and the downplaying of its threats against Israel.
Just as Barack Obama entered office facing a massive economic crisis beyond the scope of his experience, likewise the new Israeli leader will have to make or delay making difficult strategic decisions from the minute he or she enters office.
Barak has already signaled what the new government can expect, officials here said.
The United States has abandoned its policy of sanctioning companies that aid Iran's nuclear and missile program, they said.
The officials said the new Obama administration of has decided to end sanctions against Iranian government agencies or companies that aid Teheran's missile and nuclear program. The officials said Israel has been informed of the new U.S. policy.
"We were told that sanctions do not help the new U.S. policy of dialogue with Iran," an official said.
Barak confirmed the new U.S. policy. In an address to the Herzliya Conference on Feb. 3, Barak said Washington did not say whether it would resume sanctions against Iran.
"We must arrive at a strategic understanding with the United States over Iran's military nuclear program and ensure that even if at this time they opt for the diplomatic option, it will only last a short time before harsh and necessary sanctions are imposed," Barak said.
Obama decided to end sanctions against Iran after determining that the U.S. measures had failed to block Teheran's missile or nuclear weapons program, officials said. Under the administration of former President George Bush, the United States accelerated sanctions on Iran in 2008.
In his address, the Israeli defense minister indicated that Obama had forged an entirely new approach toward Iran. He said the Israeli government has sought a briefing from the new U.S. administration.
A U.S. defense source said the White House would no longer enforce sanctions imposed by the Bush administration. The source said the decision has already been relayed to Iran.
"The administration has abandoned sanctions entirely," the U.S. source said. "It is a completely new ballgame."
Similarly, Obama has decided on a new U.S. ambassador to Syria and is expected to lift sanctions against a nation charged with aiding Al Qaida in Iraq and secretly building a nuclear reactor with North Korean assistance.
Diplomatic sources said Obama, in consultation with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has asked Frederic Hof to become the first U.S. ambassador to Damascus since 2005. The sources said Hof, a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Middle East Policy Council, agreed to take the post.
The sources said the Obama administration was expected to suspend U.S. sanctions on Syria's military and energy programs.
They said Hof would be authorized to facilitate an expansion of U.S. relations with Syria, which deteriorated under President George Bush.
In 2005, the United States withdrew its ambassador to Damascus in wake of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Syria was blamed for the car bombing in Beirut in which Hariri and many of his bodyguards were killed.
The sources said Obama sent emissaries to Syria in September 2008 and pledged that if elected he would reconcile with the regime of President Bashar Assad. After his election victory, they said, Obama sent another message that promised to appoint an ambassador within the first weeks of his administration.
I posted the link in case anyone is wondering.
Me too...I just cannot believe what I’m seeing and even more I can’t believe he is simply doing whatever he wants and there is silence...it’s like the entire country, outside of those of us who are watching, is just asleep at the wheel and appear to be more than happy to dive over the cliff in ecstasy...
It’s even more unreal than the Manchurian Candidate, it’s just complete and utter apathy.
There is a reason Bush kept Petraus out of the country with enough armor, aircraft and munitions and it wasn’t to protect the Iraqi people...
good point...I just can’t grasp this man’s thinking, it is 100% opposite of what America is (was). January 20, 2009...the day the music died...
Damn, you make me want to put in Gladiator and watch it. Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
He’s not defending us from the abyss, he’s
purposely leading us into it.
~~~~~~~~~~
Iran
* Diplomacy: Barack Obama supports tough and direct diplomacy with Iran without preconditions.
Now is the time to use the power of American diplomacy to pressure Iran to stop their illicit nuclear program, support for terrorism, and threats toward Israel.
Obama and Biden will offer the Iranian regime a choice.
If Iran abandons its nuclear program and support for terrorism, we will offer incentives like membership in the World Trade Organization, economic investments, and a move toward normal diplomatic relations.
If Iran continues its troubling behavior, we will step up our economic pressure and political isolation. In carrying out this diplomacy, we will coordinate closely with our allies and proceed with careful preparation. Seeking this kind of comprehensive settlement with Iran is our best way to make progress.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/foreign_policy/
Absolutley unacceptable stance if this is indeed true...Steam is coming out of my ears as I type....pray for help, we are going to need it.
Apparently, this is part of the new “diplomacy.”
###
U.S. may moderate shield plan if Russia helps on Iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2185017/posts
I never do this but I wrote a note to the President on the link below in effect letting him know that what happened today as pushed by his administration was absolutley unacceptable and the founding fathers would be very disappointed and mentioned that the fed gov should get back to actaully following the constitution and get back to smaller gove and involved in what the constitution says...and last but not least simply said that I’ve never been more disappointed by the federal governemnt than today and that it was a sad, sad day for America.
I’m sure I’ll be on a watch list now as a dissident...but if the people do not speak then we have no reason to moan...
Next Nutjob will insist on a BJ.
Mmm-hmm.
I know ... it’s surreal.
Things are getting really ugly with breakneck speed and we have a novice at the wheel.
“If Obama and the world’s cohorts created banking chaos (which they have the ability to do, especially with the $550 billion dump that happened in two hours on 09/11/2008) and created this stimulus package.”
That film of the dem. rep from PA talking about that is just amazing. So many lines of speculation. Did it have anything to do with things that happened in russia’s economy before and after? was there a 2-way economic war between us?
I am really surprised that we haven’t been hit by a terrorist attack already, I mean look at the idiot we have in office, the muslim world is laughing at us, they prayed that Obama would win for this exact reason, they have all the power now, they can basically do whatever they want without consequence. I am not surprised by Obama’s love for Iran, remember that Rashid Khalidi toast that he did, the one that the LA Times has on VIDEO and refuses to release it, the supposed rumors about what Obama might have said leaked out online “Israel has no God Given right to Palestine” was one of the quotes, again, who knows if it was true or not, but there is definitely a reason why the LA Times won’t release it, if it were just a harmless toast, why not release it. Remember Sarah Palin mentioned the tape at a few of her rally’s but of course the McCain campaign told her were a bunch of chicken turds and told her to shut up so she never mentioned it again
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