James Oliphant, writing in
National Journal,
describes Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech to Congress:
It called into question the efficacy of any deal the administration might strike with Iran over its nuclear program; it likely renewed momentum for another round of Iranian sanctions on the Hill; it positioned the GOP politically as the party more worried about Israeli security, and, despite the White House's best efforts, made the president appear petty and churlish.
Noting that Iran is fighting ISIS, Netanyahu is quoted as saying that paradoxically in this case:
The enemy of your enemy is your enemy.
Oliphant concludes:
Yes, the speech to Congress was, at heart, a propaganda piece, one carefully orchestrated by Obama's adversaries. But that didn't make it any less effective. And it was one whose aftereffects this White House could be feeling for a long time.
