Iran

Nine US Diplomats See Interim Deal as Good for Israel

By Nicholas Burns

The interim deal with Iran on its nuclear program has prompted some legitimate questions about whether such a deal is in the interest of Israel, a vital US ally. I joined eight other former American ambassadors to Israel and former under secretaries of State in writing a letter that answers that question: We believe the […]

Lavrov Asks If NATO Planning to ‘Put Itself in Ukraine?’

By State Department

There was also a discussion of Ukraine initiated by Foreign Minister Lavrov reacting to the NATO public statement yesterday of support for the wishes for the Ukrainian people, asking whether NATO was planning to put itself in Ukraine.

The Nuclear Deal with Iran and the Law of Unintended Consequences

By Harlan Ullman

The Thanksgiving holiday and the consumer shopping frenzy over “Black Friday” last week temporarily captured America headlines obscuring for a brief spell, the nuclear deal that, if consummated, will assure Iran will not develop nuclear weapons. But make no mistake. Debate over the agreement signed by the P5+1, the European Union, and Iran will fill […]

Slavin Talks Iran with NPR News Weekend Edition

By Barbara Slavin

NPR News’ Weekend Edition host Scott Simon spoke with the South Asia Center’s Barbara Slavin about the Iran deal. Slavin believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be doing Iran a favor by criticizing the deal so harshly. Transcript and audio from the interview below.

Pavel and Kroenig Discuss Iran Deal on This Week in Defense

Council Vice President and Director of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security Barry Pavel and Senior Fellow Matt Kroenig appeared on This Week in Defense with Vago Muradian to discuss the deal that’s been struck on Iran’s nuclear program. Watch the full interview. For more expert analysis and reactions to the deal, check out […]

Freezing Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions: Faux Pas, Fiasco, or Flash of Genius?

By Harlan Ullman

In an extraordinary time, by any measure last week was extraordinary. On Thursday, the Senate went nuclear. The super-majority requirement of sixty votes that allowed the revered “filibuster” to block confirmation of most presidential appointees was ended. Friday marked the fiftieth anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s death. And Sunday brought the news of a nuclear […]

How the Gulf States Will and Won’t Respond to the Iran Agreement

By Richard LeBaron

Gulf states have cautiously greeted the interim nuclear agreement between the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the EU and Iran. The Saudi statement on Monday treads lightly—”The government of the kingdom sees that if there was goodwill, this agreement could represent a preliminary step towards a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear program.” In […]

Dealing Away the Middle East?

By Faysal Itani

In the abstract and in isolation, a US-Iranian nuclear deal is a welcome development. While it does not eliminate Iran’s nuclear program, it does complicate any future Iranian efforts to develop a robust nuclear military capability. It also shows that the United States and Iran, two sworn enemies, are capable of rationally pursuing their interests […]

Lavrov: Iran Deal Nullifies Needs for Europe Missile Shield

By RIA Novosti and RT

From RIA Novosti:  Implementation of a deal on Iran’s nuclear program reached in Geneva this weekend will make the US missile defense system in Europe unnecessary, Russia’s foreign minister said Monday.