Can Washington meet Iran’s Deepest Challenge—to US Hegemony in the Middle East?

Can Washington meet Iran’s Deepest Challenge—to US Hegemony in the Middle East? Graham E. Fuller, 2015-07-21 04:34  Can Washington meet Iran’s Deepest Challenge—to US Hegemony in the Middle East? Graham E. Fuller (grahamefuller.com) 21 July 2015 Comments abound on Obama’s achievement in reaching an agreement with Iran on nuclear issues. For a predictable minority it’s not an achievement at all but a terrible setback. Most criticism focuses on the challenge of possible Iranian cheating. That misses the big picture: is Washington itself able to deal with an ascendant Iran—much like the challenge of an ascendant China? In economic and military terms Iran can’t of course hold a candle to China. But its regional role does pose a significant challenge to those who resist the specter of popular political change. The major challenge that Iran poses is not of course really nuclear at all—we’ve dealt in the past with far “crazier” nuclear totalitarian powers such as Stalin’s Russia, Kim Jong Il’s North Korea or Mao’s China. Some—not all—elements of the Israeli security establishment may perceive the nuclear... Read Morehttp://grahamefuller.com/can-washington-meet-irans-deepest-challenge-to-us-hegemony-in-the-middle-east/