'Renewed action in the Senate in favor of tougher sanctions, has White House officials worried'

'...  To turn to Iran, White House officials are relieved that Obama’s calls to Saudi King Abdullah and Netanyahu together with Secretary of State Kerry's visit to Israel are showing sign of winning the Administration a limited amount of time and space to negotiate a robust final stage agreement with Tehran. US-Israeli relations have recovered some of their usual warmth. Renewed action in the Senate in favor of tougher sanctions, however, has White House officials worried. Finally, on Afghanistan a “dual debate” is in process, first with Afghan President Karzai regarding the bilateral security agreement from which the expectations are extremely modest, and second between the White House and the Joint Chiefs of Staff about the size and mission of any residual US military presence. The latter are arguing for something broader than desired by the former.'