SNAG – AT 8:48 A.M. ET:  The nuclear talks with Iran to implement the six-month agreement already reached have hit a snag.  From Reuters:

UNITED NATIONS - Negotiations between Iran and six world powers on implementing a landmark November deal to freeze parts of Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for easing some sanctions have run into problems over the issue of centrifuge research, diplomats said.

The dispute over centrifuges highlighted the huge challenges facing Iran and the six powers in negotiating the precise terms of the Nov. 24 interim agreement. If they succeed, they plan to start talks on a long-term deal to resolve a more than decade-long dispute over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Among the issues to be resolved in political discussions due to begin in Geneva later this week is that of research and development of a new model of advanced nuclear centrifuge that Iran says it has installed, diplomats said on condition of anonymity.

Centrifuges are machines that purify uranium for use as fuel in atomic power plants, or, if purified to a high level, weapons.

"This issue (centrifuges) was among the main factors in stopping the previous technical discussions on Dec. 19-21," a Western diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

COMMENT:  Does it really matter?  Press reports say that European and American companies are lined up in Tehran to start business deals, anticipating that sanctions on Iran will be eased.  And I think it's clear Obama has no stomach for a confrontation with Iran.  I suspect the "negotiations" will get by this bump, the appeasing agreement will be implemented, business will flow, and Iran will win the round handily.  And Obama won't care.

January 9,  2014