The Threat From Iran Has Been Greatly Reduced

Good to hear this from an Israeli who is not completely nuts.

"Pessimists, like Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, say that the deal between Iran and major powers to curb its nuclear capabilities will only enhance Iran’s threat, by lifting economically crippling sanctions that limited its ability to project power directly or through proxies. Moreover, they argue, Iran will be able to develop a nuclear weapon when the agreement expires, or even earlier if it cheats.

Iranian's reach may be greater, but the possibility of a nuclear attack has shrunk. And interaction with the West might moderate the regime.

But in a more nuanced analysis, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, chief of staff of Israel’s armed forces, admitted that while those risks are real, it is likely that for now, Iran will abide by the plan.

The deal reduces Iran’s danger in three ways. First, the existential threat Israel was about to face from an Iranian nuclear weapon is, at a minimum, delayed. It seems reasonable to accept greater Iranian regional reach in exchange for suppressing the possibility of an Iranian nuclear attack. Moreover, the regime could divert little of the deal’s financial dividends from the domestic arena, where they would preserve its legitimacy."

So a very important accomplishment for the Obama Administration.

HRC tried to claim some credit for this the other night. It is notable that she had to leave SecState before it happened.

Walt