With Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia) meeting next Tuesday in Kazakhstan --- the first high-level discussion of Tehran's nuclear programme since last June --- a 7-Point Beginner's Guide to what is involved and what is likely to happen.
1. THE ISSUES
2. WHERE ARE WE RIGHT NOW?
3. SO WHAT ARE NEXT WEEK'S TALKS? AND WHAT WILL THEY BRING?
4. WILL THEY SUCCEED? (OF COURSE NOT.)
5. SO WHY ARE THEY BEING HELD?
6. WHAT'S NEXT?
And be sure to stick around for the closing line....