Interview with Ambassador Bolton:

Obama "Committed to Preventing an israeli First Strike on Iran's Nuclear Program"

By Joel C. Rosenberg (@joelcrosenberg on Twitter)

(Dallas, Texas, March 26, 2013) -- Judging from the televised images, President Obama's first state visit to Israel was a love fest. The Israelis literally and figuratively rolled out the red carpet, even giving Mr. Obama a medal to thank him for his friendship to the Jewish people. The President, in turn, literally and figuratively hugged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and repeatedly called him by his nickname, "Bibi," as though they had been best pals for years. The days of frosty, even frigid, relations between the two leaders seemed over.

But John Bolton isn't buying it. The long-serving American diplomat and national security expert, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush, says behind the scenes there is still trouble in paradise.

I interviewed him by phone yesterday and his message was crystal clear. On the three critical issues facing the U.S. and Israel in the Middle East -- dealing with the Iran nuclear threat, the implosion of Syria, and the peace process -- Bolton says the President's objectives have not changed one iota. Netanyahu cannot count on this White House, he argues. And if Israel is going to strike Iran, they're going to have to do it this year, and on their own.

Q: What's your assessment of President Obama's trip to Israel?

Bolton: I think the President had....

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KEY STORIES I'M TRACKING ON THE BLOG AND TWITTER:

* Video: Discussing Obama trip, an Israeli first strike & "Damascus Countdown" on Hannity show.

* New video shows satellite images of alleged secret Iranian nuclear & missile facility

* 64% of Americans support military action to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, finds new poll.

* On trip to Jordan, President Obama & King Abdullah II warned of dangers posed by implosion of Syria & Iran.

* On Day Three of epicenter tour President Obama visited Jewish, Christian landmarks
Meeting with Texas Governor Perry to discuss Israel & Iran.

* Has Obama given Netanyahu "green light" to hit Iran? Video of Rosenberg interview on Fox News.

President Obama delivers major speech in Jerusalem as part of charm offensive with the Israeli people: Will it work?

* Will Israel & Iran go to war in 2013? Exclusive interview w/fmr CIA Director Porter Goss

* "Damascus Countdown" hits New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post & Publishers Weekly best-seller lists.

[To read these articles -- and/or learn more about DAMASCUS COUNTDOWN; or to find links to the latest news and analysis of events and trends in the U.S., Israel, North Africa, Russia, and the Middle East -- please go to: http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/.]