U.S. PUTS IT ON THE LINE – AT 10:08 A.M. ET:   Monday is the deadline for completion of the nuclear talks with Iran.  Looks like it won't be met.  The U.S. is leaking its negotiating stance, probably to ward off criticism should the talks collapse entirely.  From The New York Times.

VIENNA — As six world powers and Iran race to meet a Monday deadline for an agreement that would constrain Iran’s nuclear program, the United States has staked out an ambitious goal for what an accord should accomplish.

American officials say the agreement should slow the Iranian nuclear program enough that it would take Iran at least a year to make enough material for a nuclear bomb if it decided to ignore the accord.

“Our goal is to shut off each pathway sufficient that we know we have a breakout time of a minimum of a year,” Secretary of State John Kerry said last month.

The logic behind the goal is clear: to give the United States and its allies the time to react diplomatically or with fresh economic sanctions, leaving the option of using military force as a last resort.

COMMENT:  Our goal stops short of eliminating Iran's ability to enrich uranium, which is the surest way of preventing Tehran from getting the bomb.  But even our reduced goal is not being accepted by the Iranians. 

I don't think the Iranians will cave.  I think we might, which is chilling enough.  We'll see what happens Monday.  The talks may be extended.

November 21, 2014