President, GOP-led Congress heading for political impasse

The invitation from Speaker John Boehner to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address members of Congress is clearly designed to force President Barack Obama’s hand in the ongoing international talks aimed at producing an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.

Boehner’s ploy won’t work.

Obama, who has been criticized by both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill for failing to clearly articulate his administration’s foreign policy, especially in the highly explosive Middle East, has made it clear that he won’t let Congress undermine the negotiations.

During his State of the Union address last week, the president warned that he would veto any legislation aimed at increasing the economic sanctions against Iran to force Tehran to dismantle the nuclear program.

Boehner’s invitation to Netanyahu, a harsh critic of the Obama administration’s policy toward Iran, came on the heels of the president’s warning.

In a clear breach of protocol, Boehner, R-Ohio, did not consult with the White House nor give the administration fair warning of his intention to invite the Israeli prime minister, who is seeking re-election March 17.

The White House has made it clear that the president will not meet with Netanyahu while he is in the country because he does not want to be seen as interfering in the politics of America’s chief ally in the Middle East.

While the idea of Congress hosting a foreign leader without the involvement of the White House has triggered a national discussion about the political divide that now exists in Washington, there is a very real concern about the nation’s foreign policy.

Although the president has on numerous occasions during his seven years in office attempted to articulate his view of the world and America’s role in it, many Americans are still uncertain about his desire not to get us involved militarily in global hot spots.

Thus, Obama’s desire for the U.S. and other nations to negotiate an agreement with Iran over the issue of its nuclear program.

Israel in harm’s way

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned that permitting the ayatollahs in Iran to retain any nuclear capability will put his country in harm’s way and will destabilize the region.

Iran insists that it wants to use its nuclear development to provide energy.

The White House did have a victory of sorts this week when 10 Democratic senators who favor tougher sanctions if an agreement isn’t reached sent a letter to President Obama pledging not to vote to approve the new sanctions bill until after March 24. The deadline, they said, was “a critical test of Iranian intentions.”

It’s now up to the Obama administration and its partners in the negotiations with Iran to make sure there are no impediments to reaching an agreement.

Failure would not only reflect poorly on the United States but would cause Iran to step up its nuclear program.

And that could trigger a pre-emptive strike by Israel.