No Deal 

Today is the deadline set by western nations for reaching an agreement with Iran over its nuclear weapons programs. According to various reports, no deal was reached and negotiators will likely extend the talks for several more months. ABC News reported this morning that talks will resume in December and likely drag on until the summer. 

There are several likely outcomes from these negotiations. But the one result that ought to be our objective has zero chance of happening. Our sole purpose in these negotiations should be a tough agreement denying Iran the ability to develop nuclear weapons, with sufficient safeguards to make sure it is enforced. But such an agreement just isn't plausible.

The reason I am so certain that any deal with Tehran will be bad is that there have been numerous leaks indicating shifting positions by the Obama Administration. We are making concessions, but I have seen nothing suggesting that the Iranians are making concessions. 

To give you some indication of how these negotiations have gone thus far, it has been reported that Iran's foreign minister "frequently screams and shouts at Western diplomats, including Secretary of State John Kerry." And we have tolerated this abuse and petulance for a year now. 

The news that the talks will take a brief respite and resume next month means that Iran's nuclear program will continue to march forward, toward a future that radically changes the dynamic of Israeli and American security in the Middle East and the world. It also sets up another confrontation between the Senate and the Obama Administration.

You may recall that the New York Times reported several weeks ago that Obama "will do everything in his power to avoid letting Congress vote" on any deal negotiated with Tehran. The new Senate will be more conservative and, on this issue in particular, the president could face serious defections from Democrats who better understand and appreciate the U.S./Israeli alliance. 

Decision Day In Ferguson 

Various media outlets report that the Ferguson grand jury investigating the shooting death of Michael Brown by Police Officer Darren Wilson has reached a decision. An announcement is expected later today. While we do not know what the grand jury has decided, the Washington Post reports that "federal investigators have all but concluded they don't have a case against Wilson."

There was news over the weekend that two men, reported to be members of the New Black Panthers, were arrested Friday by the FBI. According to CBS News they were attempting to purchase pipe bombs, which they planned to detonate during protests in Ferguson, Missouri, after the announcement was made.

The Associated Press reports that Al Sharpton is planning demonstrations "in at least two dozen cities no matter what decision is announced." Sharpton is a frequent guest at the White House. And while Obama is publicly calling for calm, we know he recently encouraged Sharpton to "stay on course" regarding the Ferguson protests. 

I hope the demonstrations fizzle. There is nothing like bad weather to cool the passions of young radicals. 

One school district in the Ferguson area announced that it was closing schools this week due to concerns of potential violence. Superintendent Tiffany Anderson said, "With the heightened anxiety and activity, we thought it would be better for students and staff to extend the holiday at this point." 

Anderson, who is black, made the decision after fliers were passed out last week by masked adults from Chicago. Among other things, the fliers urged students to "walk out of school when they hear another murdering pig has gone free." In addition, one "urban militia group" has offered a $5,000 bounty for the location of Officer Darren Wilson and $1,000 for the location of a "close family" member. 

Millions of people of all races believed Obama's smooth message of racial reconciliation. Sadly, the president has setback racial reconciliation and pursued policies that have smothered economic growth, hurting minorities the most. 

Obama Chucks Hagel 

Obama's Pentagon purge continued today with the announcement that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has submitted his resignation. 

Readers of this report know that I am no fan of Secretary Hagel. The Emergency Committee for Israel, Christians United for Israel and my organizations opposed Hagel's confirmation, fearing his weak foreign policy stands and anti-Israel positions. We lost the vote in the Senate, but I am convinced that our efforts led him to try to prove his critics wrong. 

Ironically, that often put Hagel at odds with the president. I will give Hagel kudos for at least acknowledging the threat America faces from the Islamic State jihadists. While Barack Obama dismissed ISIS as a "junior varsity" team, Hagel was warning that it represented an "imminent threat" and "beyond anything that we've seen." 

Hagel's willingness to buck the White House line may be why he's being forced out. Others suggest he's taking the fall for Obama's failed foreign policy. One foreign policy reporter tweeted, "The White House threw Hagel under the bus then ran over him with the bus and then backed up and ran over him again." 

Standing With Israel 

I was in New York City last night for the Zionist Organization of America's annual National Brandeis Award Dinner. Several individuals received awards, including Pastor John Hagee, founder of Christians United For Israel (CUFI). As a member of CUFI's Executive Board, I wanted to be there for that well-deserved recognition. 

ZOA is the oldest pro-Israel organization in America. It gained considerable prominence in the early 20th century under the leadership of Justice Louis Brandeis. Today, under the leadership of Morton Klein, it is a force to be reckoned with. Several years ago, my friend Bill Kristol and I were honored for by ZOA for our pro-Israel advocacy.

Senator Ted Cruz was also recognized last night. He gave a rousing speech, sparking chants of "Run,Ted, run!" from the crowd of more than one thousand people. Liberal Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz gave a somber speech condemning the rise of anti-Semitism around the world. He was especially critical of the administration's relationship with Israel. 

I spoke with dozens of people last night -- all of them deeply concerned about the future. They understood the immeasurable damage being done to our security and our standing on the world scene. 

On a related matter, we hope to make an announcement soon about some exciting new plans to strengthen the U.S. / Israeli alliance and to fight the most anti-Israeli administration in our history.