State, the Clue-phone's for you...
Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 11:18PM ARTICLE: Iran Delays Its Decision on Shipping Nuclear Fuel, By DAVID E. SANGER, New York Times, October 23, 2009
NEWS ANALYSIS: Both Iran and West Fear a Trap on Deal, By DAVID E. SANGER, New York Times, October 25, 2009
Glass-half-full argument on Iranian dithering, from those now accused of it by their opponents here in the States:
"We think we've created a debate within Iran," one senior administration official said. "And that's what some of these negotiations are all about: making the Iranian people decide whether their nuclear ambitions are worth the price."
My sense is that Iran has answered that question "Yes" so many times that hoping for otherwise is not smart.
But yes, I think the offer created a debate inside Iran.
As for how much time we give them to decide, it really doesn't matter whatsoever.
Iran is on the glidepath to a bomb. The only question is the timing of the revelation and under what conditions (truly broke out or just latent). There we have influence, but not on the reach for the bomb itself.
For good examples of the "public fissures" opened, see the second piece.
But when State's Nicholas Burns declares that the Iranians "are really on the defensive," that bit I find laughable.
When you want your capability known so that it's deterrent value is recognized, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DAMAGING REVELATION.
Get a clue, Nick.
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