Obama To Lift Sanctions Against Iran

Has The President officially lost his minds?

Remember, Iran is a "tiny country" that doesn't pose any serious threat... or they pose a "grave threat"... not sure which, Obama said both.




We also know that he has finally admitted Iran might be seeking nuclear weapons.

In his news conference this week, President Obama went so far as to describe Iran's "development of a nuclear weapon" before correcting himself to refer to its "pursuit" of weapons capability.

Obama's nominee to serve as CIA director, Leon E. Panetta, left little doubt about his view last week when he testified on Capitol Hill. "From all the information I've seen," Panetta said, "I think there is no question that they are seeking that capability."

So despite all this, Obama is going to lift sanctions?!?! WTF!?!?!

(Hat Tip: Gateway Pundit)

This latest news comes from the February 18, 2009 edition of Geostrategy Direct (subscribers only):
DOSSIER: Ehud Barak
'Change' the mullahs can believe in: Obama to drop sanctions on Iran

[Ehud] Barak has already signaled what the new government can expect, officials here said. The United States has abandoned its policy of sanctioning companies that aid Iran's nuclear and missile program, they said.


The officials said the new Obama administration of has decided to end sanctions against Iranian government agencies or companies that aid Teheran's missile and nuclear program. The officials said Israel has been informed of the new U.S. policy.


"We were told that sanctions do not help the new U.S. policy of dialogue with Iran," an official said. Barak confirmed the new U.S. policy. In an address to the Herzliya Conference on Feb. 3, Barak said Washington did not say whether it would resume sanctions against Iran.


"We must arrive at a strategic understanding with the United States over Iran's military nuclear program and ensure that even if at this time they opt for the diplomatic option, it will only last a short time before harsh and necessary sanctions are imposed," Barak said.


Obama decided to end sanctions against Iran after determining that the U.S. measures had failed to block Teheran's missile or nuclear weapons program, officials said. Under the administration of former President George Bush, the United States accelerated sanctions on Iran in 2008.


In his address, the Israeli defense minister indicated that Obama had forged an entirely new approach toward Iran. He said the Israeli government has sought a briefing from the new U.S. administration. A U.S. defense source said the White House would no longer enforce sanctions imposed by the Bush administration. The source said the decision has already been relayed to Iran.


"The administration has abandoned sanctions entirely," the U.S. source said. "It is a completely new ballgame."


Similarly, Obama has decided on a new U.S. ambassador to Syria and is expected to lift sanctions against a nation charged with aiding Al Qaida in Iraq and secretly building a nuclear reactor with North Korean assistance.


Diplomatic sources said Obama, in consultation with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has asked Frederic Hof to become the first U.S. ambassador to Damascus since 2005. The sources said Hof, a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Middle East Policy Council, agreed to take the post. The sources said the Obama administration was expected to suspend U.S. sanctions on Syria's military and energy programs.


They said Hof would be authorized to facilitate an expansion of U.S. relations with Syria, which deteriorated under President George Bush. In 2005, the United States withdrew its ambassador to Damascus in wake of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Syria was blamed for the car bombing in Beirut in which Hariri and many of his bodyguards were killed.


The sources said Obama sent emissaries to Syria in September 2008 and pledged that if elected he would reconcile with the regime of President Bashar Assad. After his election victory, they said, Obama sent another message that promised to appoint an ambassador within the first weeks of his administration.