President Hassan Rouhani calls Britain is an "initiator of insecurity" and says Britain is having navy frigates secure its oil UK tankers "because they are scared."

In the last election, Netanyahu rolled up his sleeves and jumped right into the right-wing fray in order to bring about a unity deal between the various right-wing parties. This time, it seems he will need to work even harder.

The idea that Israelis have become unwilling to accept casualties hurts Israel's willingness to launch defensive actions. The lives of civilians must take precedence over the lives of soldiers.

Last month's release of Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese businessman with US permanent residency, after four years in prison could have been meant as an opening for US-Iranian talks, according to three Western sources familiar with the issue. "It was a missed opportunity," says one US source.