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Negotiations between Iran and the United States and other members of the P5+1 group in Baghdad ended in fundamental disagreement Thursday over the position of the P5+1 offering no relief from sanctions against Iran. ››read more

Flynt Leverett, former Senior Director for Middle East Affairs at the National Security Council, discusses the latest negotiations on Iran’s nuclear enrichment program at the just-concluded P5+1 Baghdad summit; why the US will never agree to lift sanctions on Iran, no matter the concessions; how the US negotiating position makes Obama look like an idiot; Richard Nixon’s observation that the same political price is paid for going half way as all the way – so you might as well go to China; why the Obama administration still won’t (consistently) acknowledge Iran’s rational leadership and sovereign (and NPT) right to enrich uranium; and how bad-faith negotiating by the US ruined the “reciprocity framework” established in the previous Istanbul talks. ››read more

There is a good bit of "crowing" going on at the moment by US officials, particularly about the role of Western financial sanctions in "bringing Iran to the table" for negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the West about its nuclear program. ››read more

Although it was a net victory for the host nation Iraq, to add to its regional prestige and showcase its ability to provide a safe and secure environment for a major international gathering, the two-day talks in Baghdad between Iran and the world powers produced few tangible results, save an agreement to continue for another round set in Moscow two weeks from now. ››read more