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Europe
Europe Plotting to Undermine New U.S. Sanctions on Iran
2018-05-22
h/t Instapundit
[FreeBeacon] European countries are currently examining a range of options to counter the reimposition of harsh U.S. sanctions on Iran in a bid to continue doing business with the Islamic Republic, a move that is being met with chilly reception on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are already putting in place measures to ensure that any European nation caught skirting U.S. sanctions faces harsh repercussions, according to a new policy paper being examined by lawmakers and viewed by the Washington Free Beacon.

Ahead of a landmark foreign policy speech on Iran Monday morning by newly installed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, his first since taking the office, European nations have been locked in meetings to develop contingencies to continue doing business with Iran after new U.S. sanctions go into effect in the coming months.
So, what motivates them: (a) Greed, (b) pathological envy of USA, (c) pathological hatred of Israel?
Posted by:g(r)omgoru

#23  Just was watching a show about Vlad the Impaler.

Seems he had a hard time with his "supposed" buddies in Europe but the Holy Roman Empire left him to twist in the wind so he had to fight off the Ottoman scourge however he could.......wasn't pretty.
Posted by: AlanC   2018-05-22 15:52  

#22  Just another trade war spelled "Sanctions" and "Boycott" (cause Girlcot suggests bad intentions).
Posted by: Skidmark   2018-05-22 15:39  

#21  Now, BP, lets stop and think a bit.
(a) Your country is run by a Quisling Government loyal to the EU - as proven by their delays and attempted sabotage of Brexit.
(b) The only way to save your country from becoming a Pakistan in the West is destruction of the EU and its ideologies. The only ones who can accomplish this are Russians or Americans. And Russians will destroy not just the EU but depopulate Europe (including Britain).
(c) So, instead of feeling injured national pride, you should cheer the Americans on - the way I'm sure Frenchmen in Vichy France, or East Europeans behind the Iron Curtain, did.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2018-05-22 15:01  

#20  #14 Talk about missing the entire point.

Heh, indeed! One thing I learned from reading Scott Adams and watching the last presidential election is that facts don't matter. It's all about 'the feelz'.

Information (aka 'facts') that challenge our world view are either rejected outright or drive our brains into cognitive dissonance. The tell for cog-diss is a retort that starts with 'So...' followed by some word salad rebutting a point you never made. At this point, you have won the argument.

The example here is "So you acknowledge you don't have a point and Iran and India are not comparable."
Posted by: SteveS   2018-05-22 14:33  

#19  always a question of whose aurochs is getting gored. Aurochs -- an extinct ox, suitable metaphor for EU.
Posted by: Whavick Spereling4976   2018-05-22 14:08  

#18  Trump is a Marine: no better friend, no worse enemy. Looks like Europe will have to learn the hard way.
Posted by: regular joe   2018-05-22 13:55  

#17  Their actions following being informed that they had until April to get Iran to agree to certain changes or America was out of the deal show they firmly believed what President Obama’s people told them.

You can keep your doctor if you want to.
No boots on the ground.
etc etc etc

So much for sophistication.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2018-05-22 10:38  

#16  It must feel a great deal like whiplash over there at the moment, a feeling that creates anger and indignation.

Their "indignation" needle must just about be pegged.
Posted by: Besoeker   2018-05-22 10:34  

#15  It’s hard to make the transition from an America willing to follow the EU (including Britain) lead, and an America strongly acting in its own interest. Especially after having been assured by the outgoing administration first that Mr. Trump could not possibly win, and then that Mr. Trump was a bloviating idiot who would not be able to figure out how to get out of the Obama commitments. Their actions following being informed that they had until April to get Iran to agree to certain changes or America was out of the deal show they firmly believed what President Obama’s people told them.

It must feel a great deal like whiplash over there at the moment, a feeling that creates anger and indignation.
Posted by: trailing wife   2018-05-22 10:31  

#14  Talk about missing the entire point.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2018-05-22 10:12  

#13  So you acknowledge you don't have a point and Iran and India are not comparable.

Europeans can decide to trade with Iran, or not. America can decide to trade, or not, with those that trade with Iran. Choose.

Oh, and, Death to Iran!
Posted by: Spavins Hapsburg4582   2018-05-22 09:36  

#12  Calling folks deplorable worked so well for Illary.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2018-05-22 09:36  

#11  If they fought bled and paid for their defense instead of defaulting to the USA to do it all they would have rights to feelings of sovereignty. Since they don’t they are nothing but spoilt pikers.
Posted by: 3dc   2018-05-22 09:26  

#10  I think you totally miss my point, it's got not much to do with the reason why more the invasion of sovereignty.

My own opinion (which is not relevant to my point) is that Iran is not following the agreement so the agreement is over, but that's not why people are annoyed.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2018-05-22 09:16  

#9  I don't remember Indians shouting "Death to America" or being the world's foremost government sponsor of terrorism, some taking place in Europe. Please enlighten me.

If Europeans are dead set against trade with India, I am sure Americans will take a second look. What do you have against Indians?

Posted by: Spavins Hapsburg4582   2018-05-22 09:11  

#8  Well if the EU said to an American company that you can't trade with say India because they have nukes you'd be complaining about EU over-reach and it's the same the other way.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2018-05-22 08:27  

#7  According to my UK friends a large part of this is that they do not understand the disconnect between US government and US companies.

So any issues with an American company / industry, think hi tech, is bundled into their feelings about the US gov't. Of course 20 years ago I blamed the Euros for this...now? Not so much.
Posted by: AlanC   2018-05-22 08:14  

#6  Why is America running a $150 billion annual trade deficit with them? That's 1.5 million primary manufacturing jobs lost to them. Add to that support jobs in the economy.
Posted by: Spavins Hapsburg4582   2018-05-22 08:10  

#5  With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Why are we still allied with them? Why are we not pulling our troops out? They are clearly working against us and not the least bit sorry about it.
Posted by: Herb McCoy   2018-05-22 07:58  

#4  So, what motivates them: (a) Greed, (b) pathological envy of USA, (c) pathological hatred of Israel?

embrace the power of "and"
Posted by: Frank G   2018-05-22 07:12  

#3  Bright Pebbles, would it be possible for you expand upon what you mean by American internationalism a bit, please? I am just trying to get a better understanding. Thank you.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike   2018-05-22 07:05  

#2  While the swamp is a little deeper, American internationalism is going to annoy Europeans.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2018-05-22 05:22  

#1  The swamp's a little deeper over there.
Posted by: Skidmark   2018-05-22 04:44  

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