From Fait Non-Accompli AUG 3, 2015, VOL. 20, NO. 44 * BY William Kristol
"The Iran deal turns out to be so no good, so very bad, so awfully ugly, that there is a chance-an outside chance-that a congressional process accepted by the [U.S.] administration because it seemed to virtually guarantee the deal's survival might actually kill it instead.
The administration is pulling out all the stops. The left is mobilizing. Pressure is being applied. But what's striking is how many congressional Democrats are balking. Serious Democrats look at the deal-at its failure to stop Iran's nuclear program, at the weak verification provisions, at the precipitous and massive sanctions relief-and can't quite believe the horror the administration is asking them to approve.
The public can't quite believe it either. The Pew poll this week had those Americans who knew something about the deal-a strikingly high 79 percent of the public-disapproving 48 to 38 percent. When has this happened before? A president signs a deal that purports to limit arms and reduce the risks of war, he makes his case to the American people against scattered voices of criticism and dissent-and he doesn't even start out ahead. A Washington Post poll that framed the deal in a way more favorable to the administration had only 56 percent approval. Most analysts experienced in these kinds of fights expected the deal to start out way ahead in public opinion, and then perhaps face some erosion as the debate proceeded. Instead, opponents are at least even at the start. And, by the way, the critics are so far handily winning the debate on the merits.
Still, is it really possible that over a dozen Senate Democrats and almost 50 House Democrats will defect from the president and vote both to disapprove and then to override his veto? Yes. It's possible, if not yet likely. And the possibility will grow if opponents energetically press their case. They will need to explain, among other things, that the sanctions regime isn't doomed if the deal is defeated. It is true that some damage will have been done by the United Nations action. But a Congress that insists on retaining U.S. sanctions will leave the next president-whether a Democrat or a Republican-with a chance to marshal the international community to continue the pressure on Iran and perhaps to negotiate a better deal.
Meanwhile, what about that U.N. vote? Congress owes it to the American people to disapprove the deal because it is bad and dangerous, but also precisely to establish the principle that the American people are the masters of American foreign policy, not the United Nations."
Please pray that the U.S. Congress will be able to overturn the recent nuclear deal if it will endanger the Middle East nations along with other countries by giving Iran, the world's leading sponsor of terrorism, over 100 billion in sanctions relief as well as a path to the development and deployment of nuclear weapons. This is a crucial matter of international security.
‘Untouchable’ Christians told ‘convert or be denied benefits’
Hindu nationalists have converted 39 people from Dalit Christian families to Hinduism in a controversial ceremony aimed at making them eligible for a government benefits programme. ‘We are moving ahead with our initiative and more families from other religions will be reconverted to Hinduism soon. Many people want to come back to their original faith,’ said the District Chief. The Dalits, known as the ‘untouchables,’ make up India's lowest caste and are eligible for certain government benefits if they identify as Hindus. International Christian Concern (ICC) noted that Christians from low-caste backgrounds are soft targets for Hindu nationalists seeking to take advantage of the government benefits programme and lure people of other faiths into Hinduism. ICC said as many as 25 million poverty-stricken Dalits who have converted to Christianity are being forced to choose between their Christian faith and eligibility for benefits.
Nigeria: USA backs Nigeria but a pledged $5 million is in jeopardy
On Monday President Barack Obama met Nigeria's new leader Muhammadu Buhari and discussed ongoing plans to defeat Boko Haram. Obama praised Buhari's integrity and Buhari claimed to have a very clear agenda in defeating Boko Haram extremists inside his country. The Obama administration has pledged $5 million to Nigeria's military since Buhari's election earlier this year. Obama said Nigeria is ‘one of the most important countries’ in Africa and he and Buhari discussed combatting corruption, public health concerns and climate change. On Wednesday it was discovered that the US Leahy Law which prevents the government selling arms to countries which fail to tackle human rights abuses applies to Nigeria. However the Nigerian military does not possess appropriate weapons and technology to address the ‘human rights violations’ and the two president’s agreement would have released this technology to Nigeria. On Thursday President Buhari said, ‘Unwittingly, and I dare say unintentionally, the application of the Leahy Law Amendment by the United States government has aided and abetted the Boko Haram terrorists.’
Lebanon: Reaching ‘an unreached people-group’
Deaf children in the Middle East are neglected because of their impairment. They miss out in family life, education and economic opportunities. Many Muslim parents believe deaf children bring shame to the family. There are an estimated 21,000 deaf Lebanese to whom no one is proclaiming Christ. Now, by introducing sign-language into existing outreaches to the Muslim people in Lebanon, 90 deaf people have already come to Christ. Last year the same mission group were involved with a child protection programme that exposed the need for education to protect children from various forms of abuse. The ministry plans to hold five conferences to educate deaf children, their parents and schoolteachers about sexual abuse, kidnapping, child protection resources and children's rights. They also intend translating their highly successful leadership training into sign-language. Those who come to Christ would then be equipped to reach other deaf people with the message of Christ. See also: http://www.finishingthetask.com/about.html
Mexico: Women rally against rampant domestic violence
Congresswomen and activists demonstrated in front of Mexico's Interior Ministry in Mexico City by lying on the ground, imitating a crime scene, with chalk outlines around their bodies and chanting ‘gender alert in the State of Mexico’. The ‘gender alert’ was created after reports of widespread violence against women. The initiative hopes to reinforce protection and provide more help for victims. The protesters called for the setting up of a ‘gender alert’ mechanism across Mexico State. Mexico is among the world’s twenty worst countries for violence against women with endless crimes of passion and unidentified female body parts floating in sewage canals. Six women are killed in Mexico every day. Only 24% of 3,892 ‘femicides’ the group identified were investigated by authorities, and only 1.6% led to sentencing.
Liberia / Sierra Leone: Ebola orphans
Ebola has left 18,000+ children in West Africa without one or both parents. Many are destitute because of the stigma attached to Ebola. One team of charity workers in Liberia found almost 200 children abandoned and alone after their parents died of Ebola. The volunteers fed, clothed and cared for them. Orphans in rural areas have survived against all odds, but are traumatised and facing stigmatisation. There is still a great deal of fear and suspicion around survivors. ‘We have cases of children being rejected from their communities, especially survivors of Ebola,’ said Isatu Kamara of Unicef. ‘People are scared of them. They just don't trust that these children are safe to touch and go near so they drive them far away. See also: http://awoko.org/2015/07/21/sierra-leone-news-for-rescuing-200-ebola-orphansbuild-on-book-appreciate-donors/
Israel: IS reach Jerusalem
Stories are breaking of a group linked to IS distributing anti-Christian leaflets in the east of Jerusalem. Part of an English translation of the original leaflet reads, ‘Our people, Muslims, salute your resistance and your jihad and we ask you to report the location of Christians living among you who are working clients for the Zionists and the west, spreading debauchery and secularism and keeping Muslims away from their religion. Islamic State knows where some of these Christians live, and strike forces will work to cleanse the Islamic neighbourhoods of Christians.’ The above was translated by a local man from Jerusalem who says that it is important that the world realises that yet another threat is visiting the Christian community in the only Middle East state that has true religious freedom.
Ukraine: US general backs lethal weapons
The United States should ‘seriously consider’ providing Ukraine with lethal weapons and putting US air strike controllers near combat areas in Iraq, said General Mark Milley (who is nominated to be the next US Army chief of staff) on Wednesday. He agrees with Marine Corps Commandant Joe Dunford that Russia poses the greatest threat to the United States because of its large nuclear arsenal and its ‘very, very aggressive’ behaviour. Milley said, ‘I would be in favour of providing Kiev with lethal defensive equipment.’ The United States has resisted equipping Ukraine with lethal weapons due to concerns about escalating the conflict, but Milley's statement is a sign that the Pentagon may now be considering it. On Wednesday the Ukrainian President appointed a new head of Luhansk ‘military-civil administration’ and Russia said it is working on developing a heavy intercontinental ballistic missile, with surface-to-air tests starting in 18 to 24 months. See also: http://www.worthynews.com/20930-russia-us-political-crisis-may-intensify-further-with-kremlin-testing-new-heavy-intercontinental-missile-in-two-years
Greece: First bailout instalment on 17 August
If the expected timeline runs on schedule, Greece could be seeing the first instalment of the 86 billion euros of bailout money on 17 August. Bloomberg reports that an official ‘with knowledge’ said that negotiations between the Greek government and international creditors should be concluded by 6 August. If the Greek parliament agrees to the deal by 7 August, the Euro Working Group and the Eurozone‘s finance ministers will endorse the programme by 11 August. The national parliaments of other countries must also approve the bailout package by 13 August. Please pray for the Greek government to implement reforms despite fierce opposition, and for the unity of the nation. Pray also for obstacles to be removed and investments to be made so that there will be employment for the many young people who are in their late 20s and early 30s and have not yet worked.
Community centre hosts caliphate class
A community centre in Rochdale hosted a men-only course on the correct understanding of an Islamic State. Posters for the ‘Khilafah Course’ promised discussion on foreign policy, the judicial system and the treatment of non-Muslims in an Islamic caliphate and lectures entitled ‘Is fighting the method to establish a state?’ and ’The conditions of a Khilafah.’ Those attending the course at Castlemere community centre in Rochdale were also encouraged to attend the Manchester Khilafah Conference organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir, which government ministers have threatened to ban but remains legal. See also: http://www.hizb.org.uk/report/the-islamic-khilafah-a-manifesto-for-change