The conflict between Iran and Israel is entering the next escalation level. From a negotiation perspective, the statements coming from the Israeli government are an anchor, and they are intended to force potential allies to commit quickly.
The German daily “Süddeutsche Zeitung” writes: “As for Jerusalem, it beats the war drums almost around the clock. The world shall be roused up in face of the Iranian nuclear threat, and those who do not want to follow Israel’s warning calls, Jerusalem believes, is either in cahoots with the enemy, or does not understand how serious the situation is—just like the ditherers in Europe and in the Washington administration.”
President Obama, therefore, is supposed to decide quickly. Option no. 1: Pro Israel and against Iran. He then would have to join the war cry, heat up the mood in the U.S. against Iran, prepare the world for a possible war. Option no. 2: Pro Iran and against Israel. He then would have to talk down the nuclear threat, point towards the Arab spring, and invoke the good.
With both options Obama can only lose. With option 1, the world would hardly follow him, after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. With option 2, the very influential Jewish community in the U.S would turn against him.
Negotiation tip:
Whenever the opposing party wants to force you to make a commitment, you must never follow.
It is important to point out the greater common aspects, the big picture, and to announce the next steps in a very general form.