MANN-LEVERETT IN CNN SPECIAL ON THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR ISSUE

"...As for the nuclear talks, it seems that isolated parts of the mainstream Western media are beginning to realize something that should have been manifestly evident before any negotiators arrived in Istanbul: the major variables that will determine the success or failure of the talks are not whether the Iranian side is “serious” or whether there is sufficient consensus in Tehran to make a deal possible.  The main variables are on the Western (especially U.S.) side: is the Obama Administration prepared to define a realistic endgame for negotiations and, as the parties work toward that endgame, what is it (and its European partners) prepared to put on the table with regard to sanctions and recognizing Iran’s right to enrich. We were skeptical about the administration’s seriousness on these points before the Istanbul meeting.  We have seen no reason since that meeting to revise our estimate.  ..."