The Iran Nuclear Deal Is President Obama's Iraq Troop Surge

The drama is breathtaking. A decisive president makes a crucial decision on the Middle East issue that defines his tenure, a decision that could transform not just the specific situation but regional security. Yet he has just lost both houses of Congress, opinion polls on the decision are heading south, lawmakers are up in arms, and even some in his administration have doubts. But rather than hesitate, he drives ahead.

Barack Obama, 2015, with Iran? No, George W. Bush, 2006-07, with the Iraq troop surge to save his effort in the country he ordered the U.S. military to invade. Both presidents, at the same point in their tenures, pushed major initiatives against very strong domestic opposition. Given the similarities, the fate of Bush's surge could provide insight into the fate of the Joint Comprehensive Program of Action with Iran. Bush's success suggests that, one way or another, Obama will also prevail in implementing the Iran deal...

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