DISTURBING – AT 11:31 A.M. ET:  There are some disturbing reports that the Trump administration, under pressure from the left-leaning State Department, is softening its Iran policy.  Say it ain't so, Donald.  From the excellent Michael Wilner at the Jerusalem Post: 

WASHINGTON – State Department officials are seeking a commitment from their European counterparts that they will work to “improve” the Iran nuclear deal over an undetermined period of time – a request short of the concrete and swift policy changes demanded of them by US President Donald Trump last month.

According to a diplomatic cable seen by Reuters, US officials are asking the governments of Britain, France and Germany to commit to “work together to seek a supplemental or follow-on agreement” to the 2015 international deal governing Iran’s nuclear program “that addresses Iran’s development or testing long-range missiles, ensures strong [International Atomic Energy Agency] inspections, and fixes the flaws of the ‘sunset clause.’”

It is a departure from the president’s initial request of the “E3” powers. In January, Trump announced that he was waiving nuclear-related sanctions on Iran for the “last time,” and that he would allow them to enter back into effect in 120 days if Europe fails to adopt a dramatically new posture on the nuclear agreement.

“This is a last chance,” Trump warned.

COMMENT:  Once again we see the heavy hand of the State Department Europhiles.  We vastly exaggerate the importance of Western Europe in the modern world.  Western Europe is committing cultural suicide, and some of the European countries, like the Netherlands, might not even exist in 50 years because of demographics.

Every American boy buried in Europe is buried there because of failed European diplomacy.  Yet, there is still an element in Washington – the kind who spent their junior college year abroad – who believe we should still genuflect before Europe's age and laughable wisdom. 

Meanwhile, European businessmen, especially the Germans, are making fortunes in Iran, and supplying Iran with funds and possibly technology.  Not a good scene, but something that's happened before.

February 20,  2018