The Obama administration scored a huge victory as 4 Americans who were being detained in Iran were freed, thus depriving Republicans of another excuse to start a war with Iran.
The Washington Post reported:
Iran released Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian and three other detained Iranian Americans on Saturday in exchange for seven people imprisoned or charged in the United States, U.S. and Iranian officials said, a swap linked to the imminent implementation of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers.
….
The official said that the “Iranians wanted a goodwill gesture” as part of the release, and that led to the exchange. The list the Iranians submitted to U.S. authorities was “whittled down” to exclude any crimes related to violence or terrorism,” said the official, one of several who spoke on condition of anonymity under administration ground rules.
The release comes less than 24 hours after White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest blasted Republicans for being unhappy that Iran released 10 US sailors. Earnest also pointed out the value of mature presidential leadership that doesn’t go around starting wars.
The press secretary said, “I also think it underscores the value of responsible, mature presidential leadership. The President didn’t start a war over this. The President pursued diplomatic engagement through his Secretary of State, who had an open, diplomatic channel of communication with his Iranian counterpart. And because of that important diplomatic work, our sailors were released, unharmed, 14 hours after being taken into custody, in their own boats. Again, as I said earlier, I think Republicans would be quite hard-pressed to make the case that a better outcome was possible here.”
Republicans have been trying to use the 4 detained Americans as an example of “weak Obama leadership,” and as a reason to go to war with Iran. The Republican presidential candidates are aching for a war with Iran.
President Obama scored another great diplomatic victory. Republicans have lost one of their major talking points while pushing for war with Iran. There is no doubt that Republican politicians are unhappy today.
The entire Republican foreign policy view has been proven wrong by President Obama. Successful diplomacy is a triumph for Obama, and another nail in the coffin of the invade first ask questions later cowboy foreign policy of the Republican Party.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
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