Netanyahu’s Tough Talk On Iran May Find A Less Receptive Audience

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By Joel Greenberg | McClatchy Foreign Staff

JERUSALEM — A year ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu captured international attention when he drew a red line on a cartoon likeness of a bomb during a speech at the United Nations on Iran’s nuclear program.

When he addresses the world body on Tuesday, a day after meeting President Barack Obama, he will face a more daunting task.

A diplomatic offensive at the United Nations last week by Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s new president, topped off by Rouhani’s phone conversation Friday with Obama have challenged Netanyahu to get his message across in a changed diplomatic landscape.

With Washington moving to negotiate with Iran about its nuclear program, Israeli officials have voiced concern about a possible weakening of economic sanctions and postponement of any military threat that could stop what they say is Tehran’s steady advance toward a nuclear bomb.

Officials say Netanyahu will present evidence of continued Iranian efforts to attain a nuclear weapon and urge the U.S. and other nations not to be taken in by what has been dubbed here as Rouhani’s charm offensive.

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/09/29/203568/netanyahus-tough-talk-on-iran.html#storylink=cpy

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1. Israel's concern is its own regional primacy

And that peace and de-escalation of tensions might have a financial impact as subsidies for Israel's "defense" are dependant on Israel being at constant threat.