Iran's disclosure that it has been building a secret nuclear site ratchets up already simmering tensions between the Islamic
Republic and Israel, raising questions about whether President Obama retains enough influence to prevent Israel from launching
a preemptive military strike should Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government turn to its last resort.
Polls
show Obama's popularity is waning in Israel, where some say his administration is too conciliatory toward the Palestinians.
He also took a beating in the Israeli press for his speech at the U.N. on Wednesday, when he warned that "America does not
accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements," though Israeli officials continued to publicly praise him for his
efforts at restarting peace talks.
