article_snippet: The Iranian threat has long been vexing; former Defense Secretary Bob Gates once told me The Iranian threat was the toughest problem former Defense Secretary Bob Gates saw in nearly a half century serving of distinguished service in national security.  
article_snippet: The Barack Obama administration believes that a compromise agreement with Iran limiting -- but not dismantling -- Iran nuclear capability is better than to have current talks fall apart, risking an armed showdown.  
article_snippet: The Netanyahu government believes the agreement which Barack Obama appears ready to accept will let Iran eventually wriggle free and build a bomb.
article_snippet: In truth, there is merit to both points of view -- and the devil here is not only in the details but in the very structure of an agreement.  
article_snippet: As Barack Obama believes, a negotiated settlement is far preferable to a possible war or learning to live with a nuclear Iran.
article_snippet: Consider: The U.S. and Israel started down the negotiating path saying publicly that Iran must totally dismantle Iran nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of punishing economic sanctions against Teheran.  
article_snippet: Leaks since then have shown that in pursuit of a deal, U.S. is now willing to accept more and more centrifuges in Iran -- 6,500 by latest count.
article_snippet: According to the latest leaks, an agreement that would last at least 20 years may only cover 10 years and then give the Iranians a chance to bust loose.  
article_snippet: In defense of U.S. compromises, Secretary of State John Kerry makes a persuasive point that a temporary agreement reached 18 months ago containing compromises has worked far better than critics have conceded and therefore, those now at the table deserve a benefit of doubt.
article_snippet: But administration critics are also right in arguing that the Obama administration seems to be betting that if just given a few years grace, an odious regime which sponsors terrorism across the Middle East will suddenly change spots and become a partner for peace.
article_snippet: Dennis Ross, for example, argues that if America could greatly strengthen an inspections regime -- a much bigger team who could go anywhere, any time in Iran -- and could enshrine in legislation that Iranian violations will bring military action, that would go a long way toward allaying opposition fears.  
article_snippet: Martin Indyk proposes that, drawing upon ideas embraced by President Clinton in Middle East negotiations 15 years ago, America could enter a formal treaty with Israel, voted upon by Congress, that would provide a U.S. "nuclear guarantee" to Israel in event of an Iranian breakout.