Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Obama Sends Envoy to Netanyahu: Message, Don't Surprise Me with Iran Strike


Less than a week before President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in person, the U.S. President felt compelled to send an envoy. The message was don't surprise me with an attack on Iran. Haaretz reported:

Earlier, Netanyahu's envoy visited Washington and met with National Security Adviser James Jones and with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and discussed the dialogue Obama has initiated with Tehran.

Clinton and Jones knew of Israel's attack on Gaza before the late December strike. Quartet Envoy Tony Blair spilled the beans. President Obama expects Netanyahu to show the same courtesy as Ehud Olmert. He might, then again Bibi might not.

Obama does have $2.77 billion in annual military aid as a lever. (Update: Obama sent Leon Panetta to deliver the warning)