Obama spells out his 13 demands for Israel

No dictator, no tyrant, no terrorist is too radical for Barack Obama to embrace and appease. But when it comes to America's most steadfast ally in the Middle East?

...Obama had listed 13 demands, or 'expectations,' of Netanyahu [which] included: A two-year deadline to the peace negotiations from the moment they begin, and a mechanism which guarantees Israel will not build in Arab neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem.

The Israeli military should stop operating in Palestinian autonomous areas, withdrawing to the September 2000 lines used before the second Palestinian uprising, when the Palestinians had full security control over their largest West Bank population centres.

In addition, Netanyahu should take more confidence-building steps, including the release of up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, said the official.

...In a break from protocol amid the crisis between the two allies, no handshake photo opportunity was held before the White House meeting, nor were statements made to the media.

Oh. And, gee, this comes as a surprise.

U.S. Softens Sanction Plan Against Iran

The U.S. has backed away from pursuing a number of tough measures against Iran in order to win support from Russia and China for a new United Nations Security Council resolution on sanctions, according to people familiar with the matter.

Among provisions removed from the original draft resolution the U.S. sent to key allies last month were sanctions aimed at choking off Tehran's access to international banking services and capital markets, and closing international airspace and waters to Iran's national air cargo and shipping lines...

An unbiased observer could come to no other conclusion that this President wants to see Israel destroyed.