Jeffrey Goldberg, Columnist

From Iran to Syria, Obama's Toughness Is Paying Off

There is one main reason why Iran is making conciliatory noises about its nuclear program, and Bashar al-Assad is signaling his intention to give up his chemical weapons: Barack Obama's toughness. 
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There is one main reason why Iran is making conciliatory noises about its relationship with the U.S. and about the future of its nuclear program, and there is one main reason why Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian dictator, is signaling his intention to give up his stockpiles of chemical weapons.

The reason: President Barack Obama's toughness.

Yes, I know. Toughness isn't a quality lately ascribed to the president. But hear me out.