Michael Goodwin: Trump gave Iran a chance at peace — but the president cannot trust the mullahs
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Michael Goodwin: Trump gave Iran a chance at peace — but the president cannot trust the mullahs
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The news that President Trump has taken the unusual step of calling a full Cabinet meeting Wednesday suggests that, among other things, he’s exploring ways to jump-start the maddeningly slow talks with Iran.
The brainstorming is necessary because it is crystal clear that Trump gave peace a chance, a very good chance, but the mullahs aren’t willing to meet his generous terms.
The big question now is whether there is anything more within reason he can do to sweeten the offer, or whether Iran simply has no intention of ever getting to yes.
No doubt there also will be a political dimension to the conversations, in that the war is unpopular at home and growing more so the longer it goes on.
Its effect on rising energy prices and inflation are a major part of the GOP worry that Trump’s party could lose control of both chambers of Congress in November.
Impeachment of the president would likely be among the Democrats’ first orders of business.
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As they proved in his first term, they don’t need facts to bring charges — only party unity around the idea that voters made a mistake or were deceived. It’s their way of overturning elections.
Cease-fire under stress
Moreover, the stakes in Iran are growing again because even the tenuous cease-fire is coming under severe stress.
The US conducted what it called “self-defense” airstrikes late Monday against two Iranian ships it said were laying mines in the Strait of........
