The Netanyahu government appears emboldened by its new behind-the-scenes alliance with Saudi Arabia, as the two countries combine their geopolitical assets to advance common interests, including supporting the Syrian rebels, challenging Iran over its nuclear program, and aiding the military regime in Egypt.
In these joint endeavors, Israel brings to bear its extraordinary talents at propaganda and lobbying, while Saudi Arabia supplies the money and exploits its influence over oil and financial markets. One source familiar with the Israeli-Saudi tandem said Israel is using this relationship to both advance its regional interests and receive desperately needed cash from the Saudis, who are obsessed with prevailing over their Shiite rivals in Iran.
In the past several months, President Obama has gone against Saudi-Israeli demands that he intervene militarily in Syria to degrade Assad's military strength -- and Obama has further alienated the two "allies" by showing a willingness to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear program rather than join Israel in airstrikes against Iranian targets.
But Secretary Kerry's visits from capital to capital on what has the look of an apology tour -- desperate to soothe the hurt feelings of Israel and Saudi Arabia -- may only encourage Saudi and Israeli leaders to keep the geopolitical pressure on President Obama.
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