The attempted scandal of the week:
Republicans have seized on a recent claim that former Secretary of State John Kerry told Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif about Israeli strikes on Iranian interests in Syria. Zarif made the allegation in leaked audio, a claim which, if true, would undermine the US relationship with Israel.
Though Kerry has flatly denied that any such conversation took place, a group of Republican senators have asked the President to investigate the allegation. A handful of other congressional Republicans are calling for Kerry’s resignation from his current position on the National Security Council if the allegations are confirmed. [CNN/Politics]
This may be a compliment to President Biden by the Iranians, a recognition that the President, despite the recalcitrance of Republican leaders, has indeed proven an effective leader at this early date in his term. How so? By attempting to introduce doubt about the Democrats in the minds of the public.
It’s also an attack on Kerry, a known force in the American foreign policy world, whose expertise and long experience marks him as a target of anyone wishing to introduce confusion and impotence into the American sphere.
And, no doubt, the Iranians recognize the greedy grasping after power of the Republicans, having seen more than enough of that quality in their own political elites.
In the end, I expect this to quietly fade away, as so many supposed Democratic scandals have done of late, being tenuous creatures of their opponents. Time will tell.
