Iran agrees to new P-5+1 talks on nuclear program
posted at 2:01 pm on February 5, 2013 by Ed Morrissey
The positive spin on this story is that Iran is prepared to accept some limits on its nuclear program. The negative spin is that they’ve said that before, and it’s gone nowhere:
Iran has formally agreed to a new round of nuclear talks with the United States and five other world powers, European Union officials confirmed Tuesday, setting the stage for a critical effort to stave off a military confrontation in the Persian Gulf.
E.U. and Iranian officials signed off on a Feb. 26 meeting in the former Kazakh capital of Almaty, ending months of haggling over where and when negotiations would take place. Iran agreed in principle to new talks two months ago, but diplomatic progress appeared to falter amid a fierce internal debate among Iranian leaders over whether to accept limits on the country’s nuclear program.
What’s changed recently? The Washington Post notes that the Iranian economy has melted down, for one:
Since June, when Iranian officials last sat down with diplomats from the so-called P5+1 powers — the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany — Iran’s economy has been battered by U.S. and European economic sanctions, including an oil embargo that has wiped out half of Iran’s oil exports. Iran’s currency, the rial, tumbled to a record low against the dollar earlier this week.
That could produce a grassroots revolution that would see the mullahs up against the wall. Even the Revolutionary Guard might prove less than loyal in a total economic collapse, although its leaders have at least as much to fear from an uprising after the 2009 crackdown on the Green Revolution.
That may be why Iranian media has suddenly softened on the US, too:
Tehran also has been abuzz with rumors about back-channel talks with the Obama administration, and some Iranian officials have appeared to embrace the idea of bilateral negotiations with the world power still officially regarded by regime hard-liners as the “Great Satan.” Neither government has confirmed that such contacts have occurred.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad might be fearful of gains made by his political rivals, too:
In a year when Iran will elect a new president and could face make-or-break decisions about its nuclear program, the country’s most prominent political family appears poised to extend its influence, strengthening the rule of hard-line clerics as they struggle with other power centers.
Larijani brothers now sit atop two of Iran’s three branches of government, the parliament and the judiciary, positions they have used to attempt to foil populist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Speculation is rife that the best known of the five Larijani brothers, parliament speaker Ali Larijani, will make a second bid for the presidency when Ahmadinejad completes his final term in June.
But don’t break out the bubbly, either:
The Larijani ties to the supreme leader, Iran’s ultimate decision-maker, mean Ali Larijani would probably be more empowered than Ahmadinejad to make a deal with Washington. But his worldliness does not mean he is more Western, analysts say — although he is less bombastic than Ahmadinejad, he and his brothers are also viewed as even stauncher ideologues.
So should we be optimistic or pessimistic? Based on the divide-and-delay diplomatic tactics of Iran with the P-5+1 group (and its limited success), I know which way I’m betting.
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“I would advise Assad not to call my bluff”
PackerBronco on April 30, 2013 at 3:05 PM
If you aren’t talking about ‘Jason Collins’ big stick’ you’re thinking about guys ‘sniffing underwear’.
Good luck as you work through this…while pretending to talk about other things.
verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 3:05 PM
The REB has become a joke, and the entire world sees it. How long will it take our nation to regain some credibility?
slickwillie2001 on April 30, 2013 at 3:05 PM
Barack Obama when asked about his second term failures “Maybe I should just pack up and go home.Golly.”
Plenty of whine… plenty of cheese…
This president can’t admit that he’s even had any failures…ever… much less discuss them or what to do to fix them.
Did we really expect him to mean it when he said that ‘chemical weapons use would cross the red line’?
For what it’s worth, the fact that the rebels are infiltrated and backed by al quaeda, and the Muslim Brotherhood is swooping into Syria in the vulture position, makes Obama’s failure to carry though with his threat a boon to this nation of sorts as it will allow us to remain OUT of Syria and prevent us making an even greater mistake in supporting al quaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood … again… as we did in Libya and Egypt respectively.
thatsafactjack on April 30, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Iraq
US
verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 3:09 PM
You’re a homophobe!
RovesChins on April 30, 2013 at 3:11 PM
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║──║─║──║──║──║
║──║─║──║──║──║
║──╚═╣──║──║──╚═╗
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Bishop on April 30, 2013 at 3:14 PM
You came out?
Good for you!
It just seemed you were in a bit of self-loathing repressed phase there ’til just now.
But now you can retire all the lame scatological references.
verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 3:16 PM
Did I miss the sarc tag or are you serious?
LeftCoastRight on April 30, 2013 at 3:17 PM
You preferred the war?
Hmm.
verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 3:17 PM
HOMOPHOBE!
RovesChins on April 30, 2013 at 3:19 PM
I just don’t understand picking up cat shit, and playing with it.
OhEssYouCowboys on April 30, 2013 at 3:19 PM
He asked ‘freer’.
verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 3:19 PM
Please, not even you are that stupid. Go back and try again, only try studying this time.
Hints: Obamacare, shut-down of drilling, massive new EPA regulations, draconian CAFE standards, strengthened Patriot act, attempted gun control, … do NOT make the US more free then when Urkel took office.
As far as Iraq: yeah, I guess if you are an islamic fundamentalist who yearns for sharia and suppression of women and those not like you — sure Iraq will soon be free to be enslaved to islamic dictatorship.
AZfederalist on April 30, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Do you even understand the concept of Freedom?
Galt2009 on April 30, 2013 at 3:24 PM
There was a war in the United States? Man, I need to nap less, I always miss everything.
So Dog Eater going to wa….er..uhh..using American military assets in Libya, pretty good yeah?
Then of course there’s that other little dustup in some place called Afghaneran or Afgheribran or something….it’s a “stan”. Anyhoo, all those American soldiers dead on Barky’s watch, more in 4 years than the 7 years of Dubya’s tenure. Kind of embarrassing for a dude who won a Nobel Peace Prize, yes?
Bishop on April 30, 2013 at 3:26 PM
Weren’t the one leading the charge for People control and Universal Gun Registration?
How ‘freer’ are we if the government is in control of our civil rights?
Galt2009 on April 30, 2013 at 3:27 PM
Nah. But, you’re a bat face a$$ sniffing homophobe and we all know it now.
So, how’s that next in being able to come out of the basement to marry your mother going?
One small step for man….
RovesChins on April 30, 2013 at 3:27 PM
For once, I believe the guy. He was just spewing tough guy B.S. with no plan or thought of Syria calling his bluff. Don’t they know who he is? They wouldn’t dare cross his red line.
Completely believable he is, this Emporer with no clothes.
Carnac on April 30, 2013 at 3:29 PM
Weren’t the one leading the charge for People control and Universal Gun Registration?
How ‘freer’ are we if the government is in control of our civil rights?
Galt2009 on April 30, 2013 at 3:39 PM
*you*
Galt2009 on April 30, 2013 at 3:39 PM
Wow…several different replies to the same comment.
Impressive.
verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 3:53 PM
Game Changer: Obama moves from playing Tiddly Winks to Chutes and Ladders
Take that, Syria!
LASue on April 30, 2013 at 3:58 PM
Weren’t you the one leading the charge for People control and Universal Gun Registration?
How ‘freer’ are we if the government is in control of our civil rights?
Galt2009 on April 30, 2013 at 3:58 PM
We will be much freer to obey our government, overseeing the civil rights it wants to bestow upon us and relieving us of the burden of thinking and doing for ourselves.
Personal independence is sooooo overrated.
hawkeye54 on April 30, 2013 at 4:19 PM
“slavery IS freedom” or something….
dentarthurdent on April 30, 2013 at 4:25 PM
I can’t believe you missed obumblescare.
You WILL buy a certain level of health insurance or else you pay a huge fine to the IRS.
Ya – THAT’S freedom at it’s best…./
dentarthurdent on April 30, 2013 at 4:26 PM
Check my post again, it was in there. ;-)
AZfederalist on April 30, 2013 at 4:31 PM
I would say first that any freedom Iraq has is due to Bush and Obumble had nothing to do with it. Their increased freedom came with Hussein’s downfall – which was done by Bush. All obumble did was finish pulling our troops out, only slightly earlier than planned.
dentarthurdent on April 30, 2013 at 4:33 PM
Oh, duh – right up front.
I uhhhh didn’t recognize that particular spelling of the WH squatter’s name…. ;)
dentarthurdent on April 30, 2013 at 4:35 PM
Gosh, I stepped away and missed so much stupidity.
verbie, you are a gnatbrain.
Iraq – it was freer due to GWB, freed from the tyrant who went by the rope. It is not freer due to Obama, you incredible fool.
US – the black youth, the militancy in Boston, Gitmo, from your perspective, searches without warrants, and 1001 more items…God, you are just plankton in the head. No more.
Try other lands…or try to think before you type.
Schadenfreude on April 30, 2013 at 4:35 PM
verbie, friendly advice – study what freedom stands for, first.
Schadenfreude on April 30, 2013 at 4:36 PM
You’re not taking credit for Egypt and Libya? Why not?
dentarthurdent on April 30, 2013 at 4:38 PM
“But his tie”“And that tie” — verbaluceSchadenfreude on April 30, 2013 at 1:38 PM
fify, with cheers!!!
Schadenfreude on April 30, 2013 at 4:38 PM
My attention to detail is definitely slipping lately……
dentarthurdent on April 30, 2013 at 4:40 PM
No problem. We all have our battles with Old Timer’s disease. :-)
AZfederalist on April 30, 2013 at 5:11 PM
LOL!
Iraq is about to fall back into civil war and the US is less free. Obama has continued all of Bush’s surveillance programmes and added to them…frighteningly so…like signing the horrific NDAA.
Remember the good, old days when warrantless wiretaps were the worst civil liberties violation we had to worry about coming from the White House?
Good times, good times!
Resist We Much on April 30, 2013 at 5:21 PM
Obama: “If we saw a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around, that would change my calculus.”
His calculus, my azz.
Old calculus: WTF
New calculus: WTF
Pretentious little phony.
petefrt on April 30, 2013 at 6:05 PM
I’m so surprised that none of the liberal commentators, pundits and analysts have mentioned the famous Bush-era mockery of “All hat, no cattle.” If there is ever a guy that the phrase applies to with no holds barred it’s our own Dear Reader, The One, The Only, Øbama. Maybe there is another Chicago street slang that applies better, like “All baggies, no dope” or something. Anybody know?
ExpressoBold on April 30, 2013 at 6:10 PM
Schadenfreude on April 30, 2013 at 4:35 PMNo surprise you’ve got a tale to spin re: Bush and ‘freedom’.
Even he knows it’s fools errand to chase credit or cast blame.
verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 6:10 PM
Schadenfreude on April 30, 2013 at 4:38 PM
You remain today’s
rogerbpretender.verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 6:11 PM
Weren’t you the one leading the charge for People control and Universal Gun Registration?
How ‘freer’ are we if the government is in control of our civil rights?
Galt2009 on April 30, 2013 at 6:14 PM
If only you were truly concerned…instead of stuck on shouting ‘Obama!’ so much.
What’s your take on Gitmo?
Let me guess…Bush opening it was his ‘victory’ and not closing it is Obama’s ‘failure’.
(And I’m sure you’re only recently concerned over warrantless wiretaps.)
verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 6:18 PM
What are the odds he ever took a real honest to goodness calculus course?
My money would be on never.
farsighted on April 30, 2013 at 6:20 PM
Sounds similar to “I will not take private campaign contributions”
RdLake on April 30, 2013 at 6:25 PM
Ha @ “recently concerned”. Well played.
rogerb on April 30, 2013 at 6:28 PM
Well is it? He promised to close it toady.
CW on April 30, 2013 at 6:34 PM
Because he didn’t have to attend any protests where they use the guns and protestors poop their pants. He’s come up with a strategy for that, though. He just comes to the party with a full load.
Libya and Egypt don’t count. /
RovesChins on April 30, 2013 at 6:39 PM
Verbal would suck Obama’s nads if it had the chance….sadly only one would be available as nonpartisan would have the other one.
CW on April 30, 2013 at 6:39 PM
“I’m Lebron, baby. I can play on this level. I got game.”
Paul-Cincy on April 30, 2013 at 7:37 PM
You’d be wrong on ALL of those.
Dude, I didn’t vote for Bush/Cheney .
My positions have been completely consistent throughout both administrations. Gitmo is just one flip-flop that you Obama Firsters have excused. Others and more restrictions on rights? Here…
Patriot Act?
Fine.
Drones?
Fine.
New military entanglements?
Fine.
Warrantless searches of homes?
Fine (see the administration’s amicus brief in Kentucky v King).
Government tracking of credit card usage in real time and without a warrant?
Fine. (See DOJ’s Hogwatch programme)
Government tracking automobiles without a warrant because, as Eric Holder said, ‘Americans have NO expectation of privacy of any kind in public’?
Fine.
Government ability to demand any and all customer information from financial institutions?
Fine. (See Dodd-Frank and DOJ’s rulemaking)
Government tracking of internet history and review of emails and purchases without a warrant?
Fine.
Government demanding “election communication transactional records” from third parties without a subpoena?
Fine. (See Hogwatch)
Government not being required to show probable cause and obtain a search warrant or subpoena to track cellphones?
Fine.
Tremendous explosion in deficit spending?
Fine.
I could go on, but that should give you an idea of all of the things that Bush never did, Obama is doing, and of which you are either ignorant or hypocritical.
I give no politician a ‘pass’ because politics isn’t a game to me. I hate the government and want it out of my life. My participation is to ensure my protection. Not to win or gain power for power’s sake.
If you believe that I would approve of what Obama is doing is he were a libertarian (he wouldn’t be doing it) or a Republican, then you are bloody batshit crazy. I can tell you right now that the politician that I probably loathe most in this country right now is John Insane…and the last time I looked, he was an old, wealthy, white dude not name Barack Hussein Obama and a Republican.
Resist We Much on April 30, 2013 at 8:23 PM
I cannot understand what’s going wrong in Syria.
Sincerely, everything was going fine; I though Assad would lose quickly.
Let me be perfectly clear.
As always…
My priority is finding out the root cause of the problems in the Middle East.
Mojave Mark on April 30, 2013 at 8:50 PM
All very nice….and not an answer.
What is your take on Gitmo?
verbaluce on April 30, 2013 at 9:58 PM
I have no problem with it. Didn’t when Bush opened it. Don’t now. It is perfectly legal and consistent with the law of war.
Resist We Much on April 30, 2013 at 10:31 PM
I’m neither. I love being myself. Never wanted to be anyone else. You should know that by now, alas.
I even grant you that absolute individualism, no matter how idiotic.
Schadenfreude on April 30, 2013 at 11:44 PM
Wow, I came into this thread looking for comments on BHO’s infanalized whining and weakest speech of his presidency.
Boy was I on the wrong track.
Difficultas_Est_Imperium on May 1, 2013 at 1:21 AM
*infantile
Difficultas_Est_Imperium on May 1, 2013 at 1:22 AM
He’s always lying.
Why do people expect otherwise?
In this case, as with Gitmo, it is at least pragmatic and not delusional/ideological/megalomaniacal.
profitsbeard on May 1, 2013 at 2:31 AM
All pipe and no crack?
profitsbeard on May 1, 2013 at 2:34 AM
If I were Obama I’d probably support both sides so that neither one gains the upper hand. Let Assad burn through a few thousand jihadis over several years. If they want to die for Islam, fine, provide the place for them to do just that.
crosspatch on May 1, 2013 at 3:27 AM
It’ll be another “gutsy call” notch in his gun . . .
Biden will be telling us what a badass Obama is when the chips are down . . .
tpitman on May 1, 2013 at 6:01 AM
It can’t be long before we have a major international hostage situation that goes on until the end of the Obama admin… aka Jimmy Carter the 2nd.
Dasher on May 1, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Obama is arming al Qaeda:
Russia delivers new al-Qaida warning to U.S.
petefrt on May 1, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Ah yes arming the lessor of two evils is still evil.
Dasher on May 1, 2013 at 8:13 AM
Assad using Chemical Weapons against his own people in Syria IS a ‘game-changer’ — it swings the advantage back to Assad and away from his people who he is gassing.
Assad is a dictator, make no mistake about it, & he does not want to cede power. Like it or not, though, like Egypt’s previous President – Assad kept the different religious factions and terrorist groups in check in Syria…before Obama began to undermine him. No, he did not run his country the way we would, but it is foolish to demand every nation adopt our version of faux Democracy (I mean, look how corrupt, bankrupt, & inept we are).
In order to hold on to power Assad has turned brutal to the point where he is willing to gas his own people. Once he is out, the void will be filled by another terrorist group, like the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Sharia law will be adopted, Christians will be hunted/persecuted/slaughtered – like what’s going on in Egypt now – & Obama can check another one off his list in advancing the Muslim (Extremist) cause around the world.
easyt65 on May 1, 2013 at 8:44 AM
Mine too. No hard science, math or business course. Prolly a poly sci major, or a major in Kenyan transgender multi-culturalism studies.
petefrt on May 1, 2013 at 9:21 AM
We should be supporting Assad as the lesser evil.
I prefer that evil forces direct their attentions against each other than against the outside world.
Chessplayer on May 1, 2013 at 9:31 AM
He has no spine
vcferlita on May 1, 2013 at 9:41 AM
My mother is 98, my wife says she is suffering from EOA — Extreme Old Age.
Dasher on May 1, 2013 at 9:50 AM
The NeoCon vision of 1950′s American democracy in every Turd-World nation has not only been undermined by gross incompetence of its implementers and the permanent mental handicap of Islam, but by the little fact that the nation trying to impose it is falling apart at the seams.
Another poster here on HA had a brilliant (and brutal) summary of “why the !@#% would they want democracy?”, which I unfortunately can’t find at the moment because it was spot-on.
MelonCollie on May 1, 2013 at 11:14 AM
Unfortunately for the counrty Obama is a pathological liar, which I guess by some radical left standards makes him a good politician
HAGGS99 on May 1, 2013 at 11:15 AM
Melon, make no mistake – as Onama loves to say, Progressive Liberals – especially OBAMA – have undermined and worked to destroy ‘Democracy’ for decades, whether intentionally or by sheer consequence.
GREED, for example – what I like to consider ‘consequence, as in a consequence of weak human nature – has forced the take over of ‘Democracy’ by elected politicans elevating themselves to the point they are ABOVE the laws they pass & impose on their ‘elected masters’. In what other job do those who have been hired set their own salaries, exempt themselves from company rules, ignore laws, & do whatever they want simply because they are money/power hungry?)
The ‘intentional’ effort of undermining and dismatling of America/Democracy began years ago by hippies and home-grown terrorists like Obama’s buddy Bill Ayers who saw those actions would never accomplish their goals. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, as they say, so they began taking over the educational institutions where they are actively teaching their propoganda – things like the controvertial books teaching targeting civilians with terrorist bombings are ‘possibly’ justifiable because of what Israel has done. They are targeting kids/your college adults to indoctrinate kids from the start because they know they will never change/win the mids of the already educated. Hell, Progressives have devised a way to strip Americans of their freedoms by handing out enslaving-scial porgrams, lowering the American Dream from being able to do/be whatever you want and succeed to living off the scraps the government will give you in exchange for your freedom/servitude – Welcome to Socialism imposed on people in a way that they do so willingly with a smile on their faces….for now. And again, they have become so emboldened in their transitional plan that Obama OPENLY declared in 2008 that his goal was to FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE the United States.
So make no mistake, the United States is no longer a ‘Democracy! Whether through greedy/power-hungry elitist politicians who have bought their job security or through self-professed Communist-tutored, racist hate-spewing Anti-American pastor-mentored Socialists, America is no longer a ‘Democracy’.
easyt65 on May 1, 2013 at 11:41 AM
In regards to the Middle East, we transitioned from a nation that swore to track down and kill Islamic Extremists/Terrorists & destroy their safe havens to becoming a nation that aided (9/11-perpetrating) Al Qaeda-backed rebels take over Libya, ignored 2 of their attempts to kill a U.S. Ambassador & allowed them to kill him on the 3rd attempt in Libya, handed over Egypt to the Terrorist organization The Muslim Brotherhood – who immediately imposed Shari’a law (the same oppressive laws we fought in Afghanistan) on Egypt, FUNDED and ARMED these terrorists ($1.5 Billion, 24 new F-16s, & 200 new tanks), & is now demonstrating an un-willingness (&/or cowardice) to take action after a hollow warning. From an enemy of Islamic Extremists & terrorists to their friend, aider, abettor, arms dealer, and terrorist activity FUNDERS with the election of 1 man who warned us all that he would ‘fundamentally change’ the U.S. Well, he did it…overnight…and we re-elected him.
Not only have Islamic Extremists already made up the ground they lost, already got back the power they lost, from the 8 years under Bush during which time they were our enemies, under Obama they have swelled in ranks, grown in power, and now control 2 nations (Libya/Egypt)…& we are barely into the 5th year of Obama’s scheduled 8 years in office.
Bt the way, for all the Bush haters….after 9/11 – 0 (ZERO) terrorists made it to their targets on American soil under Bush. So far under Obama 5 terrorists have made it to their targets:
- Underwear Bomber (pushed the button – dud, but still made it
- Military recruiter shot dead by Islamic Extremist
- Maj Hassan’s case of Islamic Extremist ‘Work Place Violence’ @ Ft Hood
- Boston Bombers
easyt65 on May 1, 2013 at 11:54 AM
Mexican Drug Cartels?
o Obama armed them – 300+ civilian body count & growing…
Al Qaeda-backed Rebels in Libya?
o Obama armed them, ordered our military to help them take over Libya, entrusted them with Amb Stevens’ security, betrayed/abandoned Americans fighting for their lives for 12 hours in Benghazi, covered it up, threatening survivors for their silence…
Assisted Terrorist Group Muslim Brotherhood to take over Egypt; ordered US Marines in Cairo to NOT carry live ammo while defending US Embassy on the anniversary of 9/11…Embassy was overrun…gave them $1.5 Billion + $2 Billion in military weapons (24 F-16 jets/200 tanks)…
Called Ft Hood terrorist attack ‘case of Workplace violence’…
Declsred at news of attack in Boston he wouldn’t be surprised to find out it was an attack by a conservative American gorup over taxes…took a Saudi student into custody – student visited WH numerous times in the past, got a visit from Michelle Obama in hospital – WH gets un-announced visit from Saudi official, student is quickly deported….
Russians & Saudis warn the US
- Obama administration/FBI put the pictures of the 2 on TV and as us to identify them…when they already KNEW who they were…now denies warning from Saudis….
Incompetence, stupidity, deception, lies, Islamic Extremist sympathizing/apologizing, pro-Islamic Extrmists propogandizing….
How much more do people need to see?
easyt65 on May 1, 2013 at 2:51 PM
Osama 1 the Insane has lowered the presidential bar so low that is subterranean. His sycophants whether rebubs or damos are fogging up each party’s perception of what is and what isn’t. What an evil path he is blazing. His direction is wrong. His words are wrong. What positive thing has he done for the USA?
HHW on May 3, 2013 at 12:35 AM
three more years. Oh goody.
johnnyU on May 4, 2013 at 9:09 AM
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