Sanders rips Trump in foreign policy speech, defends Iran deal

BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 09/21/17 12:37 PM EDT

Excerpt:

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is using a foreign policy speech to knock President Trump’s handling of the Iran nuclear deal, Russia and his rhetoric on the violence in Charlottesville, Va.

"I call on my colleagues in the Congress, and all Americans: We must protect this agreement. President Trump has signaled his intention to walk away from it, as he did the Paris agreement, regardless of the evidence that it is working. This would be a serious mistake," Sanders said during an address at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., according to his prepared remarks. Sanders praised the Obama administration for negotiating the Iran agreement, calling it an example of "real leadership" and "real power."

The speech comes ahead of the next deadline for Trump to recertify the Iran deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, on Oct. 15. Under the terms of the pact, Iran agreed to limits to its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Sanders specifically targeted Trump’s recent UN address, saying it was “incredible” that he didn’t mention Russia’s interference in the U.S. presidential election.

“Today I say to Mr. Putin: we will not allow you to undermine American democracy or democracies around the world. … In the struggle of democracy versus authoritarianism, we intend to win,” he said.



http://thehill.com/policy/international/351749-sanders-wades-into-foreign-policy-with-defense-of-iran-deal