"...Whether they’d admit it or not, the Obama administration’s answers were clear. President Barack Obama saw moderates and hardliners engaged in a meaningful struggle for control of the Islamic Republic. Moderates led by Rouhani were no sweethearts, to be sure. But they understood the imperative of ending sanctions, engaging the world economy, and de-escalating Iran’s confrontation with America and the West — first and foremost by curtailing its nuclear program.
The bottom line for the Obamians? Rouhani and his ilk were people that America could do business with. The prior administration believed there was a clear interest in strengthening them against regime hardliners who were committed to unceasing conflict and nuclear escalation.
From this fundamental premise, a parade of U.S. concessions naturally followed. Permit Iran to keep enriching uranium? Yes. Allow continued R&D on advanced centrifuges? Yes again. Agree that the mullahs shouldn’t be compelled to fess up about past efforts to develop nuclear weapons?
Naturally — no need to embarrass Rouhani and give hardliners a stick to beat him with. Front-load billions of dollars in sanctions relief, including secret deals to pay cash for hostages? Certainly — the moderates must show they can deliver real benefits. Take a pass on seriously confronting Iran’s escalating bid for regional hegemony? An unfortunate, but necessary trade-off. Doing otherwise might give the hardliners an excuse to walk away from the nuclear deal...."
-http://www.defenddemocracy.org/media-hit/john-hannah-rouhani-the-deceiver/#sthash.mUFG6ZjI.dpuf
http://www.defenddemocracy.org/media-hit/john-hannah-rouhani-the-deceiver/
•http://www.defenddemocracy.org/media-hit/badran-tony-after-nuclear-deal-iran-looks-to-profit-in-syria/
•http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/deterring-tehran-an-iran-policy-for-the-new-administration
•https://www.yahoo.com/news/iranian-navy-endangering-international-navigation-gulf-u-commanders-170324850.html
• https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-delusion-of-the-iran-nuclear-deal-1490213438