The Russian government probably figures they will leave the country themselves, because it would be very uncomfortable for them to continue working here if they stayed.

Iran will not immediately accept any proposal. It is in Iran's interest to buy time.

There have always been differences, but from time to time they were put aside for shared values: nuclear disarmament, euphoria over the end of the Cold War, the fight against terrorism, things that pushed everything else into the shadows. But in the periods of thaw, Russia and the U.S. didn't create any stable mechanisms to solve problems.

Even if Teheran accepts Russia's proposal after lengthy negotiations, one should be prepared for Iran to abandon the agreement at the first opportunity. Under the circumstances, Russia should be very careful.

The conflict over Iran gives Russia a chance to emerge as the world's major negotiator with problematic nations.

No government can credibly guarantee there will be no terrorist attack in his or her country, but we can commit ourselves as we have done to do everything we can to strengthen our domestic capacity to stop terrorist attacks occurring in the first place,