U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter (Reuters / Yuri Gripas) / Reuters
With an agreement, the military option stays on the table and becomes more effective
Nineteen years ago, I was in Ukraine when the last nuclear warheads, orphaned during the Soviet Union’s breakup, rolled out of the country. As an assistant secretary of Defense at the time, I had worked with Washington colleagues and foreign counterparts to eliminate those nuclear weapons and thus one danger at the dawn of the post-Cold War world. Together — with bipartisan support in Congress led by Sens. Sam Nunn, a Democrat, and Richard Lugar, a Republican — we succeeded.
Update #1: Pentagon chief: Military will 'redouble' efforts after nuclear deal -- The Hill
Update #2: Defense Secretary Ash Carter: Iran Deal Safer Than Alternative -- US News and World Report
WNU Editor: I do not share the U.S. Defense Secretary's assessment. I see this agreement neutering any military options against Iran ... doubly so when sanctions are finally removed and the world community rushes in to do business with Iran.