Clinton Wraps Last-Minute Endorsement of Iran Deal with Hawkish Threats of Military Force
Journalists and foreign policy analysts say speech serves as a reminder to voters that Clinton is 'prepared for war'
In a speech addressing the pending Iran nuclear agreement on Wednesday, presidential hopeful and former Sectary of State Hillary Clinton provided a glimpse into the possible militaristic future of the United States if, as she said, "I am in the White House."
Though she endorsed the deal, which seeks to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon by forcing controls onto the country's nuclear energy program, Clinton vowed that she would do so with skepticism and--as many have pointed out--an eye on a military alternative.
"The outcome of the deal in Congress is no longer in much doubt," she said, speaking at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C., "so we've got to start looking ahead as to what's next: enforcing the deal, deter Iran and its proxies, and strengthening our allies," which was largely in reference to neighboring Israel.
Clinton continued saying that she "understands the skepticism" around the deal, and said that she too is not convinced. "There is absolutely no reason to trust Iran," she said.
"This is not the start of some larger diplomatic opening," she added.
During the address, she made it clear that if Iran "cheats" on the agreement she "will not hesitate to take military action."
She said: "Iranians and the world need to understand that we will act decisively if needed. So here's my message: The United States will never allow you to acquire a nuclear weapon. As president I will take whatever actions are necessary to protect the United States and our allies. I will not hesitate to take military action if Iran attempts to obtain a nuclear weapon."
Responding to her comments, Middle East political analyst and founder of Wide Asleep in America Nima Shiraz wrote:
Throughout the speech, Clinton repeated what she described as Iran's "malicious activity"--including allegedly supporting terrorism and threatening to annihilate "our ally and friend" Israel--and said what she would do to counter the broader issue of "Iran's bad behavior across the region."
If elected, Clinton vowed to "deepen America's unshakeable commitment to Israel's security" by "guaranteeing Israel's qualitative military edge" in the Middle East. To do so, she said she would strengthen their missile defense system, and increase military support and intelligence sharing.
In regards to Clinton's comments on Israel, foreign policy analyst Ali Gharib quipped:
As president, Clinton also said she would "sustain a robust military presence in the Persian Gulf," increase intelligence sharing and military support for Gulf allies, and expand the use of "cyber attacks" and other "non traditional attacks." As for the conflict in Syria, Clinton called for a "meaningful increase" in the effort to train and equipment moderate Syrian rebels.
All to which investigative reporter and Intercept editor Glenn Greenwald responded:
Dissecting her comments afterwards on MSNBC, Steve Clemons, Washington editor of The Atlantic, said the speech struck a very "neoconservative" tone.
"This is Hillary Clinton reminding a lot of people in the Democratic base what they used to be worried about her, that this is a candidate who's clutch is very much in the position of being prepared for war, being prepared for conflict, a very dark, muscular side of Hillary Clinton," Clemons said.
Similarly, Guardian reporter Trevor Timm added:
In contrast, Clinton's chief rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) also gave a speech Wednesday during which he, too, threw his support behind the Iran deal, likening critics of it to those who supported the Iraq War in 2003.
"It is my firm belief that the test of a great nation is not how many wars it can engage in, but how it can resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner," he said in prepared remarks on the Senate floor. "I believe we have an obligation to pursue diplomatic solutions before resorting to military engagement--especially after nearly 14 years of ill-conceived and disastrous military engagements in the region."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
In a speech addressing the pending Iran nuclear agreement on Wednesday, presidential hopeful and former Sectary of State Hillary Clinton provided a glimpse into the possible militaristic future of the United States if, as she said, "I am in the White House."
Though she endorsed the deal, which seeks to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon by forcing controls onto the country's nuclear energy program, Clinton vowed that she would do so with skepticism and--as many have pointed out--an eye on a military alternative.
"The outcome of the deal in Congress is no longer in much doubt," she said, speaking at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C., "so we've got to start looking ahead as to what's next: enforcing the deal, deter Iran and its proxies, and strengthening our allies," which was largely in reference to neighboring Israel.
Clinton continued saying that she "understands the skepticism" around the deal, and said that she too is not convinced. "There is absolutely no reason to trust Iran," she said.
"This is not the start of some larger diplomatic opening," she added.
During the address, she made it clear that if Iran "cheats" on the agreement she "will not hesitate to take military action."
She said: "Iranians and the world need to understand that we will act decisively if needed. So here's my message: The United States will never allow you to acquire a nuclear weapon. As president I will take whatever actions are necessary to protect the United States and our allies. I will not hesitate to take military action if Iran attempts to obtain a nuclear weapon."
Responding to her comments, Middle East political analyst and founder of Wide Asleep in America Nima Shiraz wrote:
Throughout the speech, Clinton repeated what she described as Iran's "malicious activity"--including allegedly supporting terrorism and threatening to annihilate "our ally and friend" Israel--and said what she would do to counter the broader issue of "Iran's bad behavior across the region."
If elected, Clinton vowed to "deepen America's unshakeable commitment to Israel's security" by "guaranteeing Israel's qualitative military edge" in the Middle East. To do so, she said she would strengthen their missile defense system, and increase military support and intelligence sharing.
In regards to Clinton's comments on Israel, foreign policy analyst Ali Gharib quipped:
As president, Clinton also said she would "sustain a robust military presence in the Persian Gulf," increase intelligence sharing and military support for Gulf allies, and expand the use of "cyber attacks" and other "non traditional attacks." As for the conflict in Syria, Clinton called for a "meaningful increase" in the effort to train and equipment moderate Syrian rebels.
All to which investigative reporter and Intercept editor Glenn Greenwald responded:
Dissecting her comments afterwards on MSNBC, Steve Clemons, Washington editor of The Atlantic, said the speech struck a very "neoconservative" tone.
"This is Hillary Clinton reminding a lot of people in the Democratic base what they used to be worried about her, that this is a candidate who's clutch is very much in the position of being prepared for war, being prepared for conflict, a very dark, muscular side of Hillary Clinton," Clemons said.
Similarly, Guardian reporter Trevor Timm added:
In contrast, Clinton's chief rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) also gave a speech Wednesday during which he, too, threw his support behind the Iran deal, likening critics of it to those who supported the Iraq War in 2003.
"It is my firm belief that the test of a great nation is not how many wars it can engage in, but how it can resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner," he said in prepared remarks on the Senate floor. "I believe we have an obligation to pursue diplomatic solutions before resorting to military engagement--especially after nearly 14 years of ill-conceived and disastrous military engagements in the region."
In a speech addressing the pending Iran nuclear agreement on Wednesday, presidential hopeful and former Sectary of State Hillary Clinton provided a glimpse into the possible militaristic future of the United States if, as she said, "I am in the White House."
Though she endorsed the deal, which seeks to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon by forcing controls onto the country's nuclear energy program, Clinton vowed that she would do so with skepticism and--as many have pointed out--an eye on a military alternative.
"The outcome of the deal in Congress is no longer in much doubt," she said, speaking at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C., "so we've got to start looking ahead as to what's next: enforcing the deal, deter Iran and its proxies, and strengthening our allies," which was largely in reference to neighboring Israel.
Clinton continued saying that she "understands the skepticism" around the deal, and said that she too is not convinced. "There is absolutely no reason to trust Iran," she said.
"This is not the start of some larger diplomatic opening," she added.
During the address, she made it clear that if Iran "cheats" on the agreement she "will not hesitate to take military action."
She said: "Iranians and the world need to understand that we will act decisively if needed. So here's my message: The United States will never allow you to acquire a nuclear weapon. As president I will take whatever actions are necessary to protect the United States and our allies. I will not hesitate to take military action if Iran attempts to obtain a nuclear weapon."
Responding to her comments, Middle East political analyst and founder of Wide Asleep in America Nima Shiraz wrote:
Throughout the speech, Clinton repeated what she described as Iran's "malicious activity"--including allegedly supporting terrorism and threatening to annihilate "our ally and friend" Israel--and said what she would do to counter the broader issue of "Iran's bad behavior across the region."
If elected, Clinton vowed to "deepen America's unshakeable commitment to Israel's security" by "guaranteeing Israel's qualitative military edge" in the Middle East. To do so, she said she would strengthen their missile defense system, and increase military support and intelligence sharing.
In regards to Clinton's comments on Israel, foreign policy analyst Ali Gharib quipped:
As president, Clinton also said she would "sustain a robust military presence in the Persian Gulf," increase intelligence sharing and military support for Gulf allies, and expand the use of "cyber attacks" and other "non traditional attacks." As for the conflict in Syria, Clinton called for a "meaningful increase" in the effort to train and equipment moderate Syrian rebels.
All to which investigative reporter and Intercept editor Glenn Greenwald responded:
Dissecting her comments afterwards on MSNBC, Steve Clemons, Washington editor of The Atlantic, said the speech struck a very "neoconservative" tone.
"This is Hillary Clinton reminding a lot of people in the Democratic base what they used to be worried about her, that this is a candidate who's clutch is very much in the position of being prepared for war, being prepared for conflict, a very dark, muscular side of Hillary Clinton," Clemons said.
Similarly, Guardian reporter Trevor Timm added:
In contrast, Clinton's chief rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) also gave a speech Wednesday during which he, too, threw his support behind the Iran deal, likening critics of it to those who supported the Iraq War in 2003.
"It is my firm belief that the test of a great nation is not how many wars it can engage in, but how it can resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner," he said in prepared remarks on the Senate floor. "I believe we have an obligation to pursue diplomatic solutions before resorting to military engagement--especially after nearly 14 years of ill-conceived and disastrous military engagements in the region."