Commentary
James M. Acton
{
"authors": [
"James M. Acton"
],
"type": "legacyinthemedia",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
],
"collections": [
"Iranian Proliferation",
"U.S. Nuclear Policy"
],
"englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"programAffiliation": "NPP",
"programs": [
"Nuclear Policy"
],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"North America",
"United States",
"Middle East",
"Iran"
],
"topics": [
"Political Reform",
"Nuclear Policy"
]
}
Source: Getty
In The Media
Iran Deal: Not Perfect, But Better Than Nothing
The recent nuclear deal between Iran, the United States, China, Russia, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom is better than existing alternatives.
Published on Jul 14, 2015
Source: CNBC
Carnegie’s James Acton talked to CNBC about why Tuesday’s nuclear deal with Iran is better than existing alternatives. Acton argued that the agreement has very stringent limits on Iran’s nuclear activities lasting between ten and twenty-five years, as well as some very stringent verification provisions to detect cheating.
“It’s not a perfect deal, but the result I believe is better than any of the reasonably achievable alternatives at this point,” Acton said.
Acton added that it would be very hard to undo the deal and that that is “a good thing.” Responding to criticisms of the deal, Acton pointed out that the Soviet Union lied and yet the United States successfully did arms control with the USSR.
“This idea that the Iran deal is somehow based on trusting Iran is simply wrong. There are stringent verification provisions associated with this deal,” Acton said.
About the Author
James M. Acton
Jessica T. Mathews Chair, Co-director, Nuclear Policy Program
Acton holds the Jessica T. Mathews Chair and is co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
- The Latest Iran Deal Ignores the Lessons of the Past
- Unpacking Trump’s National Security StrategyOther
- +18
James M. Acton, Saskia Brechenmacher, Cecily Brewer, …
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Ahead of the Ankara Summit, NATO’s Mood Has ChangedCommentary
European allies are less focused on appeasing Trump and more focused on smoothing the transition to a Europe-led alliance.
- +1
Sophia Besch, Alper Coşkun, Nate Reynolds, …
- In the Middle East and North Africa, America and China Converge More Than They DivergeArticle
Middle powers in the region will keep hedging between Washington and Beijing. It’s in the great powers’ interests to play along.
Amr Hamzawy, Kathryn Selfe
- The Effects of U.S. Democratic Backsliding on U.S. PowerPaper
Democratic erosion is undercutting four key elements of U.S. power, with mounting and likely lasting effects.
Thomas Carothers
- The West’s Climate Colonialism in the Greater Middle EastCommentary
There is a disturbing structural parallel between the old global energy economy and the new green transition.
Angie Omar
- New Syria, Old Lebanon: Absence of the StateCommentary
Any move by the United States to make good on Trump’s suggestion that Washington persuade Damascus to confront Hezbollah militarily would have catastrophic consequences.
Kheder Khaddour
