WILL BUSH THROW ISRAEL UNDER THE BUS?

Bush's Iraq-Iran-Israel Dilemma (TIME)
Analysis: Making nice with Iran may be key to helping the U.S. out of a mess in Iraq, but that would require compromises that Israel — and Administration hawks — will resist By TONY KARON

Two visits to the White House earlier this week highlighted the key dilemma facing President Bush as he contemplates changes to his Iraq policy: One guest was former Secretary of State James Baker and the rest of the Iraq Study Group, which together with much of the "realist" establishment in U.S. foreign policy is urging the Administration to recognize that a dialogue with Iran (and Syria) is an essential component of any successful strategy to stabilize Iraq. Bush's other visitor was Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, whose main purpose at the White House appeared to be pressing the President to follow his own instincts and those of the hawks in his Administration by maintaining a tough line against Iran because of its nuclear program. President Bush will soon discover what Baker and Olmert probably already know: That it won't be possible to do both.

Throw the bumblers out! by Caroline B. Glick (JWR)
From Olmert's perspective, it is America's responsibility — not Israel's — to prevent Iran from acquiring the means to destroy Israel. At the same time, he accepts that the US will take no action against Iran without first receiving permission from the French, Russians, Chinese and the Arabs