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If you're not sure what to think about the big Iran nuclear deal, the Twitter accounts of America's — and the world's — top nuclear proliferation experts aren't a bad place to start looking.
Overall, the arms control community is supportive of the deal, viewing it as a win for the US that contains credible enforcement mechanisms. But experts also highlighted some areas of concern.
Mark Fitzpatrick: director, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Programme at International Institute for Strategic Studies
Verdict: Support
As described to me, the #IranDeal will be 'Lausanne Plus' -- everything agreed to on 2 April plus more, incl strict limits on R&D.
— Mark Fitzpatrick (@FitzpatrickIISS) July 14, 2015
I can't speak for my institute as a whole, but I called it a 'pretty good deal' https://t.co/lQFH9Do1FC
— Mark Fitzpatrick (@FitzpatrickIISS) July 14, 2015
"A pretty good deal" is my #Minnesota manner of speaking.
— Mark Fitzpatrick (@FitzpatrickIISS) July 14, 2015
Arms Control Association
Verdict: Support
#Iran deal in 2-pgs fr @KelseyDav @DarylGKimball "Iran N-Policy Brief: An Effective, Verifiable Nuclear Deal w/Iran" http://t.co/SiK6XLnDsT
— Arms Control Assoc (@ArmsControlNow) July 14, 2015
Daryl Kimball: director of Arms Control Association and publisher of Arms Control Today
Verdict: Support
Told The Guardian's @JulianBorger #Iran nuclear deal is among the most complex & consequential of the nuclear age 1/2 http://t.co/BaCt9xhYs1
— Daryl G Kimball (@DarylGKimball) July 14, 2015
#Iran deal is a major nonpro breakthrough that can prevent another n-armed state in world’s most volatile region. 2/2 http://t.co/BaCt9xhYs1
— Daryl G Kimball (@DarylGKimball) July 14, 2015
Kelsey Davenport: director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association
Verdict: Support
Important for Congress to evaluate the #IranDeal on its merits. Details emerging indicate it is strong from a nonproliferation perspective
— Kelsey Davenport (@KelseyDav) July 14, 2015
Andrea Berger: senior research fellow and deputy director of Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies
Verdict: Support
#IranDeal is an incredible achievement that much of the nuclear community will enthusiastically support. But the hard work isn't over yet.
— Andrea Berger (@AndreaRBerger) July 14, 2015
Missile-related sanctions to be lifted after 8 yrs under #IranDeal. Follow-on negotiations on Iranian missile program planned before then?
— Andrea Berger (@AndreaRBerger) July 14, 2015
James Acton: senior associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Verdict: Support
#IranDeal is, on balance, a good deal. Very strong positives clearly outweigh some significant weaknesses. (1/n)
— James Acton (@james_acton32) July 14, 2015
Big positives of #IranDeal include some very detailed stringent limits and strong verification. (2/n)
— James Acton (@james_acton32) July 14, 2015
Weaknesses include provisional implementation of Additional Protocol and centrifuge R&D. (3/n)
— James Acton (@james_acton32) July 14, 2015
Implementation of #IranDeal will be key and extremely difficult. Could easily become unstuck. (4/n)
— James Acton (@james_acton32) July 14, 2015
But, overall, on balance, big picture, I believe that #IranDeal is a Good Deal. (6/6)
— James Acton (@james_acton32) July 14, 2015
The need to resolve a few last #IranDeal technical details, e.g. over Arak redesign, may be good. Keeps up communication and cooperation.
— James Acton (@james_acton32) July 14, 2015
Aaron Stein: nonproliferation program manager at the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies
Verdict: Support
Just finished reading the agreement: The US Fact Sheet was on point. Snap back removes veto and better than I thought it would be.
— Aaron Stein (@aaronstein1) July 14, 2015
There will be implementation problems. No doubt. Wonks will remember the missile shroud issue w/ START & Russian claims of US noncompliance
— Aaron Stein (@aaronstein1) July 14, 2015
The agreement, counter intuitively, strengthens the credibility of the military option.
— Aaron Stein (@aaronstein1) July 14, 2015
Miles Pomper: senior research associate, Center for Nonproliferation Studies
Verdict: Conflicted
My take on #iranDeal before wading through deals. Deal leaves enough future n-weapon and n-energy paths open to Iran they won't cheat (1/2)
— Miles Pomper (@MilesPomper) July 14, 2015
And there should be better warning if they do. But will mean more regional aggression in Syria, Yemen, w Hezbollah. (2/3)
— Miles Pomper (@MilesPomper) July 14, 2015
And bet that country will change sufficiently in 10 years. So whether good deal or a bad deal depends on which threat worries you most.
— Miles Pomper (@MilesPomper) July 14, 2015
Depends on which war you are talking about. With the US yes, but I wouldn't tell that to the Syrians or Yemenis https://t.co/7Y8bUyc8IJ
— Miles Pomper (@MilesPomper) July 14, 2015
Ploughshares Fund
Verdict: Support
Our statement on the #IranDeal: a big win for the US and global security. http://t.co/jYmtsixxMH @Cirincione pic.twitter.com/qrVchIf92n
— Ploughshares Fund (@plough_shares) July 14, 2015
Joe Cirincione, president of Ploughshares Fund
Verdict: Support
The #IranDeal will shrink wrap Iran’s nuclear program for a generation http://t.co/JBMpb9IGtK My analysis in @Slate pic.twitter.com/Wp7Is7uoav
— Joe Cirincione (@Cirincione) July 14, 2015
The beauty of this deal is that Iran gets to keep its buildings and we get to take out all the furniture. http://t.co/JBMpb9IGtK #IranDeal
— Joe Cirincione (@Cirincione) July 14, 2015