Emily B. Landau

Progress on halting Iran's nuclear program critically depends on U.S. determination and strategy. But it's still an open question whether Obama even wants 2013 to be the year of decision, with all the serious consequences that that implies.

The most dangerous scenario is not that of escalation, due to Iran's reaction to a more determined international stance. The most dangerous scenario is of Iran becoming a nuclear state.

Recent moves show an erosion of the official U.S. commitment to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear state.

When it comes to the Islamic regime, time is short and the window of opportunity is closing. The longer we look for compromise, the more leverage they have against us.

It would be highly dangerous to construe a NWFZ discussion as a replacement for concerted efforts to confront Iran's ongoing deception in the nuclear realm.

The potential consequences of standing up to Iran are increasingly being framed as the primary danger in the overall dynamic of Iran's progress toward nuclear capability.

The real danger of Iran lies in its cold rationality; it will no doubt pose severe challenges to the region and the world, but will be very careful that no one action, by itself, will be blatant or outrageous enough to elicit a military response.

Comparisons to the 'winds of change' in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989 are premature. The past few weeks have so far resulted only in the swapping of domestic elites.

No discussion of regional arms control and security can advance without the active and meaningful participation of all states in the Middle East.

No discussion of regional arms control and security can advance without the active and meaningful participation of all states in the Middle East.

Egypt should let down the pressure against Israel to join the NPT and focus on Iran, which is approaching its goal in the nuclear sphere − a truly threatening development from Cairo’s point of view.

Would it really be better for Israel to openly declare its nuclear status? I don't think so. Not for Israel, not for the region.

Beyond some tough-sounding rhetoric about the need for more severe and targeted steps against Iran, nothing very serious is actually on the international agenda - certainly not the so-called crippling sanctions.

Without genuine U.S. determination, there is no chance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

As Iran gets closer to its goal, it is becoming bolder in its willingness and demonstrated ability to challenge the international community, and only the United States can fulfill the role of the determined bilateral negotiator.

Without proper preparation and study of the record, the U.S. runs the risk of being led by Iran rather than taking the lead.