The Obama administration's deadline for talks with Iran over its nuclear weapons program has been met--and the Islamic Republic's response is predictable. Yes, the Iranians are willing to sit down for talks with the West--but under no circumstances will they discuss their nuclear program. Frankly, that doesn't leave much else to talk about.
Which means now is decision time for the Obama administration. Will the President get tough with the mullahs--as he has previously suggested--and impose crippling economic sanctions and other measures to dissuade them from pursuing the bomb? Is the military option off the table? And if all else fails, what will Israel do?
I recently sat down with Israeli Ambassador-at-Large Alon Pinkas to discuss the Iranian nuclear crisis and how the West should respond. You can watch Part 1 of our interview by clicking on the viewer below.
And stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow, when I discuss the controversy over West Bank settlements and the possibilities of a Palestinian state with Ambassador Pinkas.