ISRAEL DISTANCES ITSELF FROM OBAMA IRAN VIEWS - AT 7:31 A.M. ET:  While the talks between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel apparently were civilized, there are clear differences in perception over several issues, especially Iran.  The Jerusalem Post reports that Israel is asserting an independent position:

Israel will not sit on the sidelines and watch while Iran attains nuclear weapons capability, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's senior security advisor said Thursday, adding that the US was aware of Israel's security needs and knew that it would not necessarily receive forewarning of an Israeli strike against Teheran's nuclear facilities.

Israel maintains its liberty to operate against Iran, Netanyahu's National Security Adviser Uzi Arad told Army Radio. During this week's visit to Washington, Arad said, the prime minister "clarified that Israel reserves itself operational freedom, and several of the most senior figures in the administration said 'of course.'"

COMMENT:  Hard to determine how much of the Israeli official's statement is policy and how much is meant for domestic consumption.  It's difficult to believe that high administration officials said "of course" to Israel's assertion of operational freedom.  A few days ago, CIA Director Leon Panetta confirmed that he visited Israel and told the Israelis there'd be major trouble if Jerusalem attacked Iran's nuclear facilities without American approval. 

This story is still evolving.  It comes at a time when some Israeli observers believe that President Obama has accepted the idea of a nuclear-armed Iran, although Obama denies it.  Some of the problems emerging between the U.S. and Israel are a direct result of the Obama administration's failure to develop a clear, consistent Iran policy.  Can anyone describe our Iran policy?  There may be a generous reward for anyone who succeeds.

May 21, 2009