The Obama administration has repeatedly said it takes the threat of Iran’s nuclear break-out seriously and yet, in order to have truly biting sanctions, the Congress had to go over both Obama’s head and that of the State Department.
Showing how serious sanctions can work, Iran’s currency has declined precipitously since Congress imposed the measures against Iran’s Central Bank. Now, Turkey—whose terrorist-embracing leader both President Obama and Defense Secretary Panetta praise in the most effusive of terms—is requesting a waiver of U.S. sanctions so that its biggest refinery can deal with Iran’s Central Bank. The moment of truth is here. Is Obama serious about sanctions? Or would he prefer to kill two birds with one stone to help two adversaries at the expense of U.S. national security?
