Iran nuclear deal

[Yammer]

Colin Powell: Iran Deal Is a Pretty Good Deal
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/iran-nuclear-talks/colin-powell-iran-deal-pretty-good-deal-n422551

Funny how he's hardly heard of these days.

[CS1]

Chabad's statement. Quote from Rabbi Krinsky:

"On this matter, Israelis—who have more diverse opinions than they have people—are united, a rare and telling fact about the danger and vulnerability otherwise hardy Israelis feel in the face of this deal."

"As a matter of policy, Chabad is apolitical. The Iran deal is not a political issue. It is a threat to life, a matter of pikuach nefesh and when life is at stake, and in this case I am convinced that it is, we have no right be silent; we are morally, ethically and halakhically obligated to do everything within our power to prevent danger to our people, even if that means taking a position that is politically or socially inexpedient."

Link: http://bit.ly/IranDealChabadStatement

[zale]

Chabad's statement. Quote from Rabbi Krinsky:

"On this matter, Israelis—who have more diverse opinions than they have people—are united, a rare and telling fact about the danger and vulnerability otherwise hardy Israelis feel in the face of this deal."

"As a matter of policy, Chabad is apolitical. The Iran deal is not a political issue. It is a threat to life, a matter of pikuach nefesh and when life is at stake, and in this case I am convinced that it is, we have no right be silent; we are morally, ethically and halakhically obligated to do everything within our power to prevent danger to our people, even if that means taking a position that is politically or socially inexpedient."

Link: http://bit.ly/IranDealChabadStatement

Iran is going to get the bomb with or without the deal. North Korea got the bomb under intense sanctions, and Iran, which is far more stable, can certainly do it too.

The "deal" only exists to make Obama look like a hero with a legacy. It doesn't actually change anything.

The best Israel can hope for is another revolution in Iran, replaced by a moderate democratic government like Jordan.

[username]

Iran Threatens to Walk Away From Nuke Deal

HT etech0 for the formatting of the link, here:Useful Bookmarklets (browser bookmarks that do cool things)

[Kobe Bryant]

The Biden administration said Thursday it was ready to hold talks with Iran and other world powers to discuss Tehran's nuclear program, marking a first step in a possible diplomatic deal that could see Washington re-enter the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.

The United States would be prepared to accept an invitation from the European Union High Representative to attend a meeting of the countries that signed the 2015 nuclear agreement — Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and Iran — "to discuss a diplomatic way forward on Iran's nuclear program," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

[Kobe Bryant]

Informed source says Biden admin has agreed to release 4 Iranian prisoners jailed for bypassing US sanctions in exchange for 4 American "spies". The source also said the Biden admin has agreed to pay Iran $7 billion, reportedly by releasing Iran's frozen assets.

[Randomex]

Looks like a good candidate for transfer to the Politics forum.

[AsherO]

Looks like a good candidate for transfer to the Politics forum.

Good idea, done.

[PlatinumGuy]

Informed source says Biden admin has agreed to release 4 Iranian prisoners jailed for bypassing US sanctions in exchange for 4 American "spies". The source also said the Biden admin has agreed to pay Iran $7 billion, reportedly by releasing Iran's frozen assets.

US State Dept Spokesperson, US NSC Spokesperson, and the UK deny the report.

[yelped]

US State Dept Spokesperson, US NSC Spokesperson, and the UK deny the report.

Lol, that sounds familiar.

[zh cohen]

US State Dept Spokesperson, US NSC Spokesperson, and the UK deny the report.

What did they deny? That the deal is final, that it is ransom payment or that is going to happen at all?

[CountValentine]

What did they deny? That the deal is final, that it is ransom payment or that is going to happen at all?

Are you against getting our Americans back?

[grodnoking]

Are you against getting our Americans back?

At the cost of $7B?

Every life is worth saving, but by paying them 7 billion dollars they'll simply find another 4 to "arrest" so they can get more.

[aygart]

Are you against getting our Americans back?

It is an old Jewish rule going back thousands of years to never pay more for a captive than their value. This goes back to when kidnapped people were sold as slaves and the value used was their value to be sold as a slave. The reasoning behind it was that doing so paints a big target on all Jews. Historically there were numerous great rabbinic leaders who were held captive and instructed their congregations not to pay the absurd ransoms.

[CountValentine]

Every life is worth saving, but by paying them 7 billion dollars they'll simply find another 4 to "arrest" so they can get more.

Let me get this straight. A bank freezes my funds (they have done this to me) and then at some point releases my funds. You consider that paying me?

[grodnoking]

Let me get this straight. A bank freezes my funds (they have done this to me) and then at some point releases my funds. You consider that paying me?

Were these funds being used to fund terrorism? If yes, then yes.

[CountValentine]

Were these funds being used to fund terrorism? If yes, then yes.

There is no way to know what the funds would be used for. To say we are paying them with their own money is ludicrous.

[zh cohen]

Let me get this straight. A bank freezes my funds (they have done this to me) and then at some point releases my funds. You consider that paying me?

If they froze it for one reason (for example because they claim the money is proceeds of illegal activity), and then release it for an unrelated reason without addressing the original concern, then the result is the same.

[grodnoking]

There is no way to know what the funds would be used for. To say we are paying them with their own money is ludicrous.

Money is fungible. So even if you would somehow prove that not a cent of this money would go to terrorists it still technically will.

[CountValentine]

If they froze it for one reason (for example because they claim the money is proceeds of illegal activity), and then release it for an unrelated reason without addressing the original concern, then the result is the same.

Money is fungible. So even if you would somehow prove that not a cent of this money would go to terrorists it still technically will.

Are you confusing ceasing ones assets and freezing someone's assets?
Freezing assets and releasing them is not "We are paying 7 billion to Iran". You can still be outraged they are releasing 7 billion but no need to twist the story.

Now releasing their own money to get our people back IMHO is a good thing!!!