Coming to grips with reality of diplomacy

Summing up the speech: Netanyahu was adamant and clear about Israel’s readiness to stop Iran on its own if necessary. That apart, he did not say anything radically new, tempering calls for pressure on Iran with the seeming realization that the diplomatic window has taken the military strike off the table. He reiterated his oft-repeated four demands of Iran, including dismantling its nuclear program and ending enrichment, and followed that up by urging the international community to boost sanctions if work continues and to not take an interim deal.

Though Netanyahu spent the first half of the speech explaining why Rouhani cannot be trusted, beyond calls to “verify,” he seemed to abandon that tack by addressing the fact that diplomacy will go forward. And it seems he’s trying to get the best deal possible for Israel.

“Israel will not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons,” he said in his most blunt moment, but it was a familiar refrain, reminding the world that Israel will act if diplomacy and all else fails.

Unlike the gimmick-laden addresses of years past, the speech seemed more toned-down, possibly an effect of his meeting with Obama the day before.