Hillary Clinton will need to clean up Obama’s Iran and China messes

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, left, and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during a press conference last year. (HERBERT NEUBAUER/European Pressphoto Agency)

Hillary Clinton, if elected, will walk into the Oval Office and find America’s enemies far more emboldened than when she left the State Department.

Iran is now cheating on the JCPOA, according to a German intelligence report:

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency said in its annual report that Iran has a “clandestine” effort to seek illicit nuclear technology and equipment from German companies “at what is, even by international standards, a quantitatively high level.” The findings by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany’s equivalent of the FBI, were issued in a 317-page report last week.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel underscored the findings in a statement to parliament, saying Iran violated the United Nations Security Council’s anti-missile development regulations.

“Iran continued unabated to develop its rocket program in conflict with the relevant provisions of the UN Security Council,” Merkel told the Bundestag.

The administration denies there is any problem. An official at a pro-Israel group observes, “This report reinforces fears that — rather being an impediment — the JCPOA actually emboldens Iran to pursue its illicit behavior. Since the current Administration is trying to facilitate even more concessions, the question is whether the next occupant of the White House will confront the Iranians on their hegemonic ambitions.”

Former deputy national security adviser Elliott Abrams observes that “now we know they are cheating, and the option the administration appears to have chosen is silence: just ignore the problem.” He writes, “When asked about the German intel report and the Institute for Science and International Security report, the State Department spokesman replied ‘we have absolutely no indication that Iran has procured any materials in violation of the JCPOA.'” Well, other than the findings of a respected ally who is party to the deal.

Couple that with the administration’s efforts to promote doing business in Iran (!) and the suggestion that Iran is entitled access to U.S. dollar transactions to get the benefit of the deal and one sees that the deal resembles less and less the Ben Rhodes-approved narrative he served up to his echo chamber.

Meanwhile, China is vowing to defy the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which rejected China’s historic claim to the South China Sea. The Post reports:

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said China “solemnly declares that the award is null and void and has no binding force.” It said that “China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea shall under no circumstances be affected by those awards.” . . . . The State Department said it was still studying the decision but that it “hopes and expects” both China and the Philippines will abide by the ruling.

How about “insists” it follow the ruling? I’m not sure what nuance President Obama’s minions are looking for, but surely he’ll be reluctant to enforce U.S. interests and risk a confrontation with China. His method of conflict avoidance has taught America’s foes to test the limits of any deal or ruling. He will bend over backward to interpret arrangements in the way most favorable to theother side, lest he be called upon to actually enforce language favorable to the United States.

Clinton, upon taking office, would be wise to announce a new sheriff is in town. For Iran, that means strict enforcement of the deal and of limits on Iran’s missile program. It means additional sanctions against Iran for human rights violations and regional aggression. Indeed, if Clinton does that, she will get along well with the GOP House, which is vowing to pass new sanctions legislation before going on vacation. (The Post’s Josh Rogin reported, “Just before leaving on their long summer recess, the House of Representatives will put forward a series of [three] bills imposing new sanctions on Iran — a symbolic effort to shine light on Iran’s illicit behavior and alleged violations of the nuclear deal the Obama administration signed one year ago. . . .  All three are expected to pass with members voting along party lines.”) As for China, Clinton would do well to beef up our Navy and send regular patrols through the South China Sea to underscore the favorable international ruling. If she acts forcefully early in her term, our foes will be less likely to test her later on. That’s a lesson her former boss never learned.