United States – Congress Deal on Sanctions Against Russia, Iran and North Korea

July 22, 2017

United States – Congress Deal on Sanctions Against Russia, Iran and North Korea

By Padmini Arhant

The bipartisan agreement on sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea at United States allies’ behest is politically motivated ignoring serious repercussions of such action.

When will there be acknowledgment of destabilizing legacy from U.S. foreign policy architects and game players who continue to inflict immeasurable misery, unrest and political chaos world over?

United States constant meddling and illegal interventions in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Asia including the creation of al-Qaeda and the latest ISIS has obstructed global peace and progress with turmoil and tumultuous events having become the norm.

The legislation following cues from forces embarked on vested interests convey message to the world that United States governance is directed by foreign diktat that cares less about negative impact of such initiatives given the unnecessary adversarial environment in the nuclear age.

The current deal is a bad move for reasons cited below.

RUSSIA – Regardless of the endless saga over alleged Russian interference in 2016 U.S. Presidential race causing propaganda fatigue that has run its course and lost novelty, the reruns are nothing more than deflecting public attention from issues concerning the nation and the rest of the world.

The economic, financial and travel sanctions against non-western nations eventually hurt United States and allies position on the economy with domestic businesses having any representation in the nations that are sanctioned unable to carry on operations due to embargo on that country.

In the global economy with interdependency, widespread supply chain, technological connectivity and importantly fuel imports viz. natural gas from Russia to Europe and oil from Iran to other parts of the world could generate fuel crisis. The trade restrictions would ultimately cost the average consumer and businesses in the United States and elsewhere as experienced in the past slowing economic activities all around.  Not to mention the inflation counteracting any positive growth and development.

Besides, the antagonistic approach towards these nations via sanctions proved counterproductive until now. The path of diplomacy and dialogue has long been abandoned replaced with cavalier decisions and aggression exacerbating global relations in the twenty first century.

The impatience and irresponsible reactions are not the solutions to global problems. The initial step in addressing issue is to review and recognize one’s own flaws and deficiencies prior to fault finding and consider pragmatic measures to ease tensions than enforce inappropriate recommendations.

United States pursuing constructive choices and maintaining stable partnership with Russia is paramount. The resolution on several international issues beginning with Ukraine, ending war in Syria, nuclear non-proliferation leading towards disarmament that is critical for life and planet survival are all dependent on peaceful overture.

Again, Paris climate treaty is ineffective in the absence of eliminating nuclear threat and terror sponsorship arming terror networks with chemical and biological weapons alongside conventional weapons cache.

IRAN  – The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between P5+1, EU and Iran in Geneva in 2015 was premised on lifting sanctions against Iran in exchange for Iran’s non-nuclear program.

The accord categorically called for adherence on both sides with default from either prompting pre-JCPOA status.

United States Congress heading towards sanctions against Iran at closest ally will would not only jeopardize JCPOA but also compel Iran to the original option on nuclear defense that could no longer be challenged with U.S. reversal on Geneva pact.

NORTH KOREASanctions proved counterproductive as they are with any nation. The notion that depriving North Korean citizens from normal existence would deliver revolt against North Korean government is a gross miscalculation. The starvation imposed via sanctions punish the population producing resentment against those behind the failed strategy adding to nationalism amongst the victims of economic warfare. Furthermore, the prohibition of exports and imports is also barring trade prospects for United States business with the isolated country.

United States presence in the Korean peninsula with provocative military drills on Yellow Sea has promoted North Korea nuclear ambitions in recent memory. The demilitarization and commencement of communication involving fair expectations would be the initial requirement to deescalate conflict.

United States foreign policy moving away from saber rattling and unsuccessful sanctions substituted with amicable and rational proposals would be a paradigm shift in the changing geopolitical dynamics.

All the more reason for nuclear free zone to be global priority in the otherwise nuclear frenzy climate.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter PadminiArhant.com

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