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Signs Iran Won't Moderate After Nuclear Deal - and Why
(Wall Street Journal) Aaron David Miller - The notion that the Iranian nuclear agreement might lead Iran to moderate was always a long-term bet. But what is clear now is that the Islamic Republic regime is not moderating its repressive and authoritarian character but consolidating it. Iran is now more involved in supporting the Assad regime than ever before. Qasem Soleimani, head of the Revolutionary Guards' al-Quds force, is personally directing a coordinated effort with Russia, the regime, Hizbullah and pro-Iranian Iraqi Shia militias to take back Aleppo. Last week, even as Iran began to take steps to implement the nuclear accord, Tehran tested a new guided long-range ballistic missile that may have the capacity to carry a nuclear warhead. Iran remains determined to upgrade its military capacity. And Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian was convicted of spying in Tehran last week. Anyone who thinks Iran is on a linear course to moderation ought to lay down until the feeling passes. The writer is a vice president at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars.