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Can the U.S. Get a Good Iran Deal?

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"Obama has argued that regardless of Iran's behavior at home and in the region, a constrained nuclear program is worth achieving in its own right because Iran will be less dangerous," writes Aaron David Miller.

The negotiators on both sides of the Iran nuclear talks have come too far to let a deal slip away. There's simply too much apprehension and worry, particularly in Washington, about what happens if it does.

No one, especially President Barack Obama, wants to spend the next year-plus of his presidency consumed with the prospects of an accelerating Iranian nuclear program, a collapsing sanctions regime, and a possible Israeli military strike or an American one.

And while Iran's Supreme Leader has hedged his bets by making tough and unrealistic demands, he's also done more than just play along with the process. Indeed, he's given his negotiators plenty of cover, too. After all, he no doubt sees the advantages of placing constraints on a weapon he hasn't actually decided about developing in exchange for massive economic relief and a way to preserve the mullahcracy's control for years to come.

Read the rest of this article on CNN.

About the Author

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Aaron David Miller

Global Fellow
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Middle East Program

The Wilson Center’s Middle East Program serves as a crucial resource for the policymaking community and beyond, providing analyses and research that helps inform US foreign policymaking, stimulates public debate, and expands knowledge about issues in the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.  Read more