“Everybody is basically reconciling themselves with the fact that the best they can do for now is to take small steps toward preventing a crisis,” 

“So that’s all it is. There is no big vision being articulated by anybody that could tell us that something in terms of a breakthrough is in the pipeline. There is no sign of that.”

“There will be continuing efforts on both sides to test the other’s resolve: more sanctions, more Iranian actions in the region, and back and forth,” 

“But neither side clearly wants this to get out of control and result in a shooting war. That much they agree on.”