"This short piece provides a number of recommendations for countries in the region to strengthen nuclear security through a regional process, independent of a global one. In addition to enhancing nuclear security and ensuring that nuclear materials and weapons do not fall into the hands of terrorists, our approach would also help establish confidence and security-building measures in a region that lacks both security and confidence."

"Are the nuclear talks are an adequate platform for those human-rights concerns that remain? Probably not. The nuclear talks are complex enough without the addition of an extremely complicated and largely separate issue."

Ariane Tabatabai examines the evolution of Iran's nuclear narrative and the ways in which President Rouhani's rhetoric on the issue differs from his predecessor's.

"Despite persisting hostilities and much pessimism regarding the prospect of Iran-Israeli relations, easing tensions is a worthwhile endeavor. One of the key challenges en-route to better relations between the two countries lies in their political rhetoric. This has especially been the case in the past few years, with the belligerent rhetoric of former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

"Despite these shared characteristics and what could be recognized as common goals, relations between Israel and Iran would not soon lend themselves to cooperation, so much is clear. However, each can take unilateral steps to reduce tension, promote national interests, build confidence and enhance regional security. No such step would likely be identified formally as meaning to serve as reassurance to the other party. Yet, managing expectations will allow the symbolic and concrete uses of such measures not to be negligible."

"In an environment where terrorist organizations are active and statehood is fragile, physical protection of WMD materials and facilities is crucial to regional security. The importance of arms control in the Middle East is clear, and the establishment of a WMD-free zone in the region is urgent."

The news of an interim deal regarding the Iranian nuclear dossier, reached between Tehran and the P5+1, has generated reactions from across the board. While some have been busy celebrating a constructive and balanced deal, and great step for the nonproliferation regime and international security, others have been more skeptical, some even denouncing the deal as a great mistake. In Iran, reactions have also covered the entire spectrum. Yet, the general trend seems to be one of optimism and satisfaction with a deal that many consider as a positive step to Iran’s rehabilitation in the community of nations.

The Syrian chemical weapons dismantlement and negotiations with Iran could serve as catalysts for renewed optimism on the viability of the establishment of the WMD-free zone. On the diplomatic front, the designated Finnish facilitator for the Middle East WMD-Free Zone Conference, Undersecretary of State Jaakko Laajava, undertook consultations in Switzerland on Oct. 21, in an attempt to find agreement between regional parties on convening it. The fruitfulness of the consultations — surprisingly attended by all regional parties — indeed constitutes an encouraging step toward the establishment of a WMD-free zone in the Middle East.