Beltway Insider: Iran Deal Finalized; ISIS Attack; Drug Lord Escapes; Greece; Memphis Soul

President Obama, after a series of delays, announced an historic deal with President Rhouhani and the people of Iran that will greatly reduce the nuclear power generated and permanently dismantle the ability to develop atomic weapons.

According to Gallup, President Obama's job approval, over the past week, increased one percentage point to 46% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President decreased one percentage point to 48%.

Iran Deal Finalized

President Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and Sr. White House officials announced this week the historic deal that through two years of intense negotiation has been agreed to by both sides and will drastically reduce the potential threat of nuclear warfare by the ever volatile Iranian nation.

"This deal demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change that makes our country, and the world, safer and more secure.  This deal is also in line with a tradition of American leadership.  It's now more than 50 years since President Kennedy stood before the American people and said, "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate."  He was speaking then about the need for discussions between the United States and the Soviet Union, which led to efforts to restrict the spread of nuclear weapons," President Obama said.

The drastic reduction in potential threat is a safe measure to the area which will last more than 15 years.

The deal allows weapons inspectors to have full access with compliance mandatory or risk, the safeguards of assurance, the immediate return to severe sanctions that will remain in place as a safeguard of compliance for an additional eight years.

"I am confident that this deal will meet the national security interest of the United States and our allies.  So I will veto any legislation that prevents the successful implementation of this deal," the President said.

ISIS Attack

Scores are dead and countless injured in a massive car bomb that detonated in a crowded marketplace on the eve of the Islamic feast celebrating the Eid ul-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan in the Diyala Province of Iraq.

The Islamic State of Syrian and Iraq (ISIS/ISIL) has claimed responsibility.

"This latest attack is yet another painful example of the atrocities that the terrorist group ISIL continues to perpetrate against the people of Iraq. The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to work with Prime Minister Al-Abadi and our partners in Iraq and the international community to bring an end to ISIL's depravity," said Ned Price, NSC Spokesperson.

Despite President Obama, the coalition and counter offenses launched in country ISIS/ISIL has continued its onslaught against the Iraqi people leaving more than 15,000 civilians have died in Iraq in the past 16 months.

Retaking the Anbar Province

The latest counter offensive initiated by Iraq will oust ISIS from Anbar province.

"Over the last couple of months, the Iraqi government has had an opportunity to organize their efforts in Anbar Province, to ensure that the security forces reflect the diverse population of Iraq," said Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary.

Although in the time since the first battle of Anbar Province, two months ago,  the United States and coalition members have stepped up the efforts to train Iraqi recruits and soldiers.

"United States and our coalition partners will be supportive of those forces that are under the command and control of the Iraqi central government.  And we have made clear that we believe that those forces should take extra care, even as they are carrying out these security operations, to protect the basic human rights of the population there," Earnest said.

The United States continues airstrikes utilizing drones usage as well as traditional airstrike operations and claim to have killed ISIS leader Tariq bin Tahar al-'Awni al-Harzi in mid-June, a Tunisian, engaged in a long term commitment with the terrorist organization.

Pentagon officials have not released information on drone locations. The possibility is very strong the drone warfare engagement, or Drone Military bases, is initiated and completed within the boundaries of the continental United States.

Reports from Iraq indicates ISIS has sabotaged the Iraq Dam reducing the water supply to the people.

Drug Lord Escapes

Joaquin Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel and the most notorious drug smuggler in the world, has escaped from the maximum security Mexican prison where he has been incarcerated since February 22, 2104.

"We're very concerned about making sure that Mr. Guzman is brought to justice," Earnest said. "He does have a long rap sheet, and does preside over an organization that has committed a significant number of crimes, and does pose a threat to public safety not just in Mexico but in the United States as well.  That's why we believe that Mr. Guzman should face justice and face the very serious charges that have been put in place against him and that's why the United States is going to be supportive of the ongoing efforts by Mexican authorities to recapture him."

The escape has highlighted the intense concern over the influence Drug Cartels exercise over government officials and political officials. Police routinely show up at crime scenes masked to protect their identity. They face death threat daily. With the highest murder rate per capita the police are more concerned, and rightly so, about becoming the next statistic.

Guzman maintained limited control over his cartel from inside the maximum facility turning the 900 person inmate population into his personal army.

According to reports, prison guards, of which seven have been arrested, lost track of the Kingpin on surveillance and failed to respond for nearly twenty minutes. The feared Cartel leader was under twenty-four hour surveillance with two blind spots in his cell for privacy, the toilet and shower. He escape through a mile long tunnel underneath his shower drain.

It is the second escape for the Sinaloa leader. On the run for nearly 13 years after the first escape, during which his cartel quadrupled in power and reach which is also a present concern that the pipeline between the western Mexican province and major distribution centers throughout the United States including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland to name a few will again become fully operational.

Major cities, including the President's home town of Chicago, have set up hotlines and precautions and have named Guzman public enemy number one, the first such designation in the Windy city since Al Capone era of prohibition.

Guzman, after his first escape, was found sleeping in a luxury apartment. He surrendered without a shot being fired. He is known to offer little resistance to officials as his reach and wealth are more powerful enticements to government paid workers and employees looking ahead to retirement.

Guzman's Organization supplies multi-ton shipments of cocaine and Heroin to the United States, the largest consumer in the world, of the illegal narcotic. Guzman has a net worth of $1b U.S. dollars and unlimited global contacts and connections. He is the subject of an equally intensive manhunt to capture him.

Guzman-Loerahas been charged with drug trafficking and related crimes in several U.S. District Courts, to include the District of Arizona, the Southern District of California, the Western District of Texas, the Northern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of New York, and the Southern District of Florida.

Heremains a fugitive in both the United States and the Republic of Mexico and there is currently a U.S. State Department reward of up to $5 MILLIONfor information leading to his arrest.

Greece Finalizes Austerity Deal

As the Greece fiscal crisis did not directly affect the markets or economy of the United States, as a member of the Balkan States the solvency of the largest and most advance nation within the region has an indirect effect on U.S. interests and partners.

"The United States welcomes the agreement that was reached today between Greece and its creditors.  The agreement reflects a commitment by Greece's creditors to provide financial support and help create a path for Greece to return to growth and achieve debt sustainability.  It also includes the commitment by Greece to make deep and difficult fiscal and structural reforms," Earnest said.

The agreement allows Greece to stay in the Eurozone. The Eurozone is the name of the financial branch within the European Union, 19 of the 28 member nations that make up the EU are active participants and use the Euro has the official currency.

For Greece to be expelled from the Eurozone usage of the Euro, which is the common currency and the sole legal tender used, would have been dissolved and greatly diminished the financial reach of businesses and the individual citizen would have across the EU.

"We have long identified as the potential solution is one that was focused on a package of reforms and financing that would put Greece back on a path of economic growth and debt sustainability.  And this seems to be a credible step in that direction.  Obviously, there are still some important decisions and important steps that need to be taken, but we're hopeful that all sides will make the difficult decisions and follow through on the important work that needs to get done," Earnest said.

While the President has stayed out of any negotiation she has stayed in constant contact with allies and partners whom are more directly affected by the actions in Greece and the long term effects of the Euro Zone and members nations within the European Union.

President Obama authorized Secretary of Treasury Lew to meet with his French and German counterparts for a more in depth discussion on the exactness of the deal. 

Memphis Soul At The White House

The White House recently hosted a night of Memphis Soul with the President as host and Master of Ceremonies for the evening, joined by First Lady Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia enjoyed an evening of Memphis Soul.

Many of those invited to perform the soulful tunes that have lasted over the generations and become ingrained in the American fabric were eh original artists and entertainment headliners that made the songs legendary. 

The horns, percussion, backup sections, as much a part of the evening as the headliners who delivered the mix of slow jams and memorable melodies birth out of the Muscle Shoals era of hits of soul hits.

Top recording artists joined a Memphis Soul band included Alabama Shakes, Steve Cropper and Booker T. Jones perform "Born under a Bad Sign."

Eddie Floyd sang "Knock on Wood," had everyone up dancing and singing along. Cyndi Lauper sang and Charlie Musslewhite serenaded with the harmonica and together performed "Try a Little Tenderness." Queen Latifah sang "I Can't Stand the Rain," Joshua Ledet sang "When a Man Loves a Woman."

Mavis Staple "I'll Take You There" brought the crowd to their feet in a standing ovation.  Sam Moore "When Something is Wrong with My Baby."

Justin Timberlake brought his soulful style and Steve Cropper electric guitar genius to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," William Bell "You don't Miss Your Water." Sam Moore and Joshua Ledet "Soul Man" and the finale brought everyone to the stage to perform "In The Midnight Hour."

It was a toe tapping, hand clapping, rocking evening at the White House celebrating music from the 1960's soul era.  

For more information on President Barack Obama: www.whitehouse.gov

Memphis Soul clips available here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/performances

Sources: Whitehouse.org, Wikipedia.com

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