All it does is relieve Iran of its vulnerability

Charles Krauthammer on just why the proposed Iran deal (although I did just see a news item that the current round of Iran - P5+1 talks in Geneva are going badly, and that's a good thing) is about as bad as it could be.  Sanctions had been working. The mullahs' regime is truly on the ropes.  This deal bails them out, and that's about all it does:

If at this point of maximum economic pressure we can’t get Iran to accept a final deal that shuts down its nuclear program, how in God’s name do we expect to get such a deal when we have radically reduced that pressure?

A bizarre negotiating tactic. And the content of the deal is even worse. It’s a rescue package for the mullahs.

It widens permissible trade in oil, gold, and auto parts. It releases frozen Iranian assets, increasing Iran’s foreign-exchange reserves by 25 percent while doubling its fully accessible foreign-exchange reserves. Such a massive infusion of cash would be a godsend for its staggering economy, lowering inflation, reducing shortages, and halting the country’s growing demoralization. The prospective deal is already changing economic expectations. Foreign oil and other interests are reportedly preparing to reopen negotiations for a resumption of trade in anticipation of the full lifting of sanctions.

And for what? You’d offer such relief in return for Iran’s giving up its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Isn’t that what the entire exercise is about?

And yet this deal does nothing of the sort. Nothing. It leaves Iran’s nuclear infrastructure intact. Iran keeps every one of its 19,000 centrifuges — yes, 19,000 — including 3,000 second-generation machines that produce enriched uranium at five times the rate of older models.

Not a single centrifuge is dismantled. Not a single facility that manufactures centrifuges is touched.

And even with something this juicy being dangled before them, the Iranians aren't satisfied.  That may be our saving grace.  The best outcome of this current round of patty-cake is that everyone checks out of the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva tomorrow morning and goes home empty-handed.