@Thunderian:
"This wasn't a treaty, or binding in any way, but was an utterly useless agreement made solely by Obama that was deeply unpopular in America and around the world. There is no reason why America can't withdraw from it"
It wasn't a treaty, correct. But it was an internationally recognised agreement to which the United States was a signatory. And it was binding only in the sense that civilised nations tend to hold themselves to their agreed obligations in case their friends, partners and enemies regard them as dubious opportunists that renege on their promises and operate outside the rule (and spirit) of the law.
Nothing is stopping the US from withdrawing from the agreement but its a bad idea. You can sleep with your wife's sister, there is nothing stopping you from doing that, but its a bad idea, is morally reprehensible, your wife will not like it and it will definitely affect your family life !?
@Thunderian:
"America is the most powerful country in the world. Other countries will get in line. Watch"
Do you recognise this ailment? Its called imperial hubris and is a well known symptom of empires that have entered senile decline.
'Those whom the Gods would destroy, first make mad' . . . . . .
@Thunderian:
"The insurrection is already there, and will continue to grow regardless. As I said, Iranians don't want the things their leaders are doing. It's up to them how they deal with it"
I'm sure that half of America doesn't like what Trump is doing, either. That doesn't mean that liberals in America are going to undertake a Munich style Putsche on Capitol Hill !?
In many respects, Washington is a more dysfunctional political system than Tehran. This is fantastically delusional thinking.
@Thunderian:
"This is pure fantasy. Iran doesn't enjoy any widespread support except from those it sends money to. There is a new alignment in the middle east -- those who want peace and prosperity are on one side (Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, etc.), and those who want death and destruction stand with Iran on the other. Morocco has just cut diplomatic ties with Iran because Iran has been arming and training terrorists there, just as they've been doing in Yemen. No one wants Iran to have the kind of power they're seeking in that region"
Are you even aware of the many Sunnis in Yemen that are part of the Houthi Shia militias?
Or that the Sunni clerics that have been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for condemning the killing of innocent civilians in Yemen by Riyadh's indiscriminate bombing of Yemen !?
Or the fact that Sunnis in Iraq have offered brigades to defend civilians in Yemen?
Or that Sunni states like Turkey and Pakistan oppose the isolation and sanctions on Iran?
Such things, presumably, complicate your binary world view and the reality of the situation in the Middle East?
@Thunderian:
"None of this is an argument for maintaining a useless deal. Iran is welcome to negotiate another one if they really want peace, but since they've already started shelling Israel, I think we know how this will go"
Its not an argument for maintaining a "useless" deal, but, it is an argument against unilaterally withdrawing from an international agreement and the
motherload of consequences that are likely to follow from it.
Moreover, if America can depart from one international agreement, why can't it depart from a second, third or fourth one !?