Azerbaijan, for its part, has pointedly denied Iran entry into the consortium of countries invited to develop oil in the Caspian Sea.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Russia's Oil Grab

When we consider everything from hiring and promotion to delivering a closing argument to a jury to negotiating our next raise or demanding (ok, asking) for equity partnership at Skadden or entry into the executive ranks at Google or Union Oil as a challenge, all of life becomes so much easier.

FORBES: Consider Negotiation a Challenge to Get a Better Deal