Tuesday, Jul. 06, 2010
Israel
Leader: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
What Obama wants: Suspension of new settlements, an implementation of revamped Gaza-blockade rules, the start of serious peace talks with the Palestinians and an end to general troublemaking.
What Netanyahu wants: Vetoes of anti-Israel resolutions at the U.N. and U.S. support as a bulwark against increasing worldwide condemnation and isolation.
Outlook: Unfavorable. Netanyahu is still more pressured by his domestic politics and drama than anything Obama can offer or threaten. Obama is limited by his own domestic politics in how much heat he can put on the Israelis.