There was a collective sigh of relief as Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress agreed at the 11th hour on a deal that reopened the government and averted a debt default. The agreement represents a virtually complete victory for President Barack Obama, who held steady to his position refusing to negotiate with a gun to his head.

He is right. Extortion is no way to run a government. Unfortunately it is not clear if hardline Republicans have learned a lesson. The terms of the deal mean that they will have another chance in a few months to try to bring the president, the Democrats and the country to their knees.

As always the final hours of negotiation were messy. As Senate leaders from both parties looked set to strike a deal, House Republicans tried to pre-empt any compromise with a plan of their own. That gambit temporarily stalled the Senate talks.