Iran's clenched fist

At the same time President Obama was delivering his State of the Union address, assuring Congress and the American people that America's standing in the world is stronger than ever, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran were sending a different, less-soothing message: the Middle East belongs to them.

Just a few hours earlier, two U.S. Navy patrol boats reportedly strayed into waters claimed by Iran. The boats and ten U.S. sailors on board were seized by Iranian forces. They were thankfully released the following day, but not before the U.S. was suitably publicly humiliated. Secretary Kerry expressed his gratitude to Iranian authorities for the release, never mind that they should not have been held to begin with. The BBC reported that Iran had demanded an apology from the U.S. before the release and suggested we had met that demand.

In case anyone missed who has the upper hand right now, the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, Major General Hassan Firouzabadi, publically bragged that the seizure of the sailors "proved how vulnerable the U.S. is in front of powerful Iranian forces." Then he delivered his own State of the Union address warning that the incident "should be a lesson to troublemakers in the U.S. Congress."

Sadly, the incident is not an isolated event. It is part of a pattern of increasing provocations by Iran's radical Shiite government intended to humiliate the U.S. and make it clear to nations in the region that Iran is the "strong horse," while the U.S. under Obama's "leading from behind foreign policy" is now a scared puppy.

In Obama's first inaugural address, he offered Iran and other authoritarian regimes a deal: " ... we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." The administration apparently has no limit to the hands it is willing to extend and Iran seems perfectly happy to drive its fist into our face.

During Obama's outreach strategy, Iranian authorities have seized U.S. citizens, including former Marine Amir Hekmati (August 2011), Pastor Saeed Abedini (2012), Washington Post reporter Jason Rezian (July 2014), and just last October, American businessman Siamak Namazi. All continue to rot in Iranian prisons. There are no indications that the fate of these men was ever on the table during the nuclear negotiations between Secretary Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif.

The negotiations themselves become a protracted exercise in U.S. concessions. Iranian negotiators were described as verbally abusive to U.S. representatives. "Red lines" were repeatedly drawn by the Obama administration on what had to be in the final agreement only to disappear in the face of Iranian intransigence. The President and Secretary of State assured critics that the ultimate deal would strengthen the elusive moderates in Iran and lead to a less aggressive Iranian foreign policy.

The exact opposite has happened. In the face of new Iranian provocation, it is the U.S. that appears to be restrained by the agreement, which is seen at the White House as a major item of the outgoing president's legacy.

In October of 2015, the Iranians conducted an ICBM test in violation of a U.N. resolution. Faced with little reaction they conducted another test in November. Last month Iranian naval forces fired a rocket just yards from the USS Harry Truman, an aggressive act in crowded international waters. Through it all, the Obama administration is intent on lifting economic sanctions as part of the Iranian deal and unfreezing, by some estimates, $100 billion, a portion of which will certainly be used to strengthen the Iranian military.

The Iranian seizure of U.S. sailors and the willingness of Obama officials to prostrate themselves before the mullahs' demands to secure their release, does not hide the fact that while the sailors are safe, U.S. foreign policy is being held hostage. Like a schoolyard bully who will humiliate his victim until someone fights back, Iran will continue to meet our open hand with its clenched fist.

In the next year, expect Iran to increase its efforts to undermine the governments of other nations in the region. Look for Iran to do whatever it has to do, along with its ally Russia, to keep Assad in power in Syria. Look for our traditional ally of convenience, Saudi Arabia, to face more Iranian pressure. And expect the danger to Israel, our only real ally in the region, to expand day-by-day.

Obama's open-hand policy will make an eventual widespread Middle East war more likely, not less likely. It also means 2016 could be the most dangerous year for the United States in this century. U.S. weakness emboldens those who believe we are in retreat. No amount of oratory can stop thugs on the international scene. Only U.S. resolve can do that.

Gary Bauer is the Washington director of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund. Thinking of submitting an op-ed to the Washington Examiner? Be sure to read our guidelines on submissions.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/irans-clenched-fist/article/2580454