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The end of US internationalism: how Trump’s ditching of the Iran nuclear deal affirms American unipolarity – with Obama’s help
Dan Steinbock says the end of US participation in the Iran nuclear deal seals the conclusion of American interest in upholding a multipolar world order, but it was achieved thanks to a loophole Obama left behind
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The Trump White House plans to break the Iran deal and sanction companies from Europe and Asia doing business in and with Iran. Ironically, it was former president Barack Obama who paved the way for unilateral sanctions.
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For three years, the comprehensive nuclear accord (JCPOA) has offered Iran relief from US, UN and multilateral sanctions on energy, finance, shipping, autos and other sectors. That era recently came to a halt. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the ultraconservative former CIA head, said Washington will impose “the strongest sanctions in history [on Iran] once they come into full force”.
In contrast, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has reiterated Beijing's support for the deal. By the same token, the other key signatories of the nuclear deal – the UK, France, Germany and Russia – say the deal will be sustained.
American internationalism began a century ago, when president Woodrow Wilson purported to make “the world safe for democracy”. The objective is now to ensure US unipolarity in a multipolar era by any means necessary.
Watch: Western allies express concern after Trump pulls US out of Iran deal
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