Iran’s nuclear deal upstaged

Overshadowed by news of the Russian-provoked crisis in Ukraine, negotiations are being held this week to determine if the International Community can build on the interim nuclear deal reached with Iran nearly six months ago.  It appears Iran is making a credible effort to honor its end of the bargain, so we should be able to expect, at the very least, the interim deal to be extended.  That said, Tehran’s ongoing pledge to pursue a peaceful nuclear agenda is at odds with the Western goal of denuclearizing Iran before relations are normalized with the rogue state.  Sadly, this news would have been considered a game changing accomplishment in the dynamics of Middle Eastern politics just months ago, especially given the amount of attention the International Community has afforded the issue and region over the last decade or so, yet progress with Iran and peace in the Middle East, in general, are now considered backburner issues.  If successful, however, these nuclear talks with Iran will be remembered by history, even if the world is not watching.