A one-hour special hosted by NPR's Steve Inskeep that examines how the nuclear agreement came to be, the heated debate in Washington, and how the deal could play out in the Middle East as it goes through a period of historic upheaval.

Few Americans remember that Iran launched its nuclear program in the 1950s with the direct backing of its then ally, the United States. That American support would turn to sanctions and threats of war over Iran's nuclear ambitions. The bitter rivals opened secret negotiations two years ago and are now party to a high-risk deal. Supporters and critics agree it's a pivotal moment -- but for better or worse?

The special will include the following segments:

• A history of the deal from 1957 through present day
• The anatomy of the deal -- fact checking and unpacking the elements of this complex agreement by a team of NPR correspondents including Peter Kenyon, Geoff Brumfiel, Michele Kelemen and Deborah Amos.
• How the deal could play out across the globe -- perspectives on and about Israel, The Gulf, broader U.S. foreign policy, and of course, Iran.