A Closer Look

Not long after my last post, the media began reporting precisely what I had written therein. Imagine my shock! I know not to wonder whether I'm psychic or not because even I know not to buy that one. But it was interesting. So, let's try it again.

In the not too distant future, months, weeks perhaps, but certainly not years, the leadership in Tehran will appear to 'acquiesce' and agree to a temporary suspension of it's enrichment program. On the surface, the headline will read Tehran chose the path of least resistance and has unceremoniously stepped back from the edge of the abyss. But while this news is repeated with great fanfare in our around the clock media, look closer and you will see Tehran is also celebrating, but for very different reasons. For Tehran's master chessplayers, a negotiated settlement has always been the ultimate objective of the nuclear program, it's hidden purpose -Iran's coming in from the cold. Tehran has known for many years now that only by wratcheting up the pressure level would D.C's national interests compel it to put political considerations aside. In other words, only a subject matter as strategically consequential as the nuclear issue would have the necessary political gravitas to no longer bind US-Iranian relations captive to domestic political considerations. For Tehran, the agreement on the nuclear issue is an implicit acceptance of Tehran's re-integration to the international order and it is of extreme value to the Iranian leadership. Ergo the Cheney faction of the administration's vehement opposition to any sort of negotiated settlement. WhenTehran believes they have arrived at the best deal they can reasonably expect, look closer, and a very content Iran will strike the deal they've patiently waited for.