fbpx
Politics Foreign Affairs Culture Fellows Program

Public Opinion and a Deal with Iran

Max Fisher discusses how Netanyahu might try to kill a deal with Iran: This is where Netanyahu could play a major role, and potentially scuttle any nuclear deal with Iran, should one emerge from Geneva. Sanctions relief will be controversial in Congress, and Republican lawmakers will try to draw as much attention to the issue […]

Max Fisher discusses how Netanyahu might try to kill a deal with Iran:

This is where Netanyahu could play a major role, and potentially scuttle any nuclear deal with Iran, should one emerge from Geneva. Sanctions relief will be controversial in Congress, and Republican lawmakers will try to draw as much attention to the issue as possible so as to rally public opposition.

The flaw in the plan is that the public is probably not going to respond to a deal with Iran in the way that Iran hawks and Netanyahu want. Americans overwhelmingly support negotiations with Iran, so it is doubtful that there will be broad public opposition to a deal that comes out of those negotiations. There will be predictable hostile reactions from Iran hawks in and outside of Congress, but as it becomes clear to more people that their preferred alternative increases the risks of war and a nuclear-armed Iran they are not going to be able to win much support.

Netanyahu probably could cause the administration headaches in Congress, but in addition to souring relations with the U.S. this could very well backfire on him and the Iran hawks by getting on the wrong side of public opinion. Consider the public’s reaction to the chemical weapons deal in Syria. Even though most respondents assumed that it wouldn’t succeed, a huge majority supported it anyway. It seems reasonable to assume that there would be a similar reaction to a nuclear deal with Iran. Considering how unfavorably most Americans view the GOP right now, Republican hawks that attack any deal might end up making it more popular. If there is a deal and Netanyahu makes a concerted effort to derail it, he is more likely to make himself and his cause appear ridiculous in the eyes of Americans.

Advertisement

Comments

The American Conservative Memberships
Become a Member today for a growing stake in the conservative movement.
Join here!
Join here