For Obama and Netanyahu, Wariness
on Iran Will Dominate Talks

 
Netanyahu and Obama, shown in May 2011
Photo / AP, Charles Dharapak

On Monday, Netanyahu and Obama will meet again in the shadow of an American presidential election, and Iran will again dominate the conversation. But the bonhomie will be replaced by wary intrigue as they try to sort out their differences, in timing, messaging and strategic bottom lines, on how to grapple with Iran — while also managing their own strained relationship.

Netanyahu also wants to press Mr. Obama on where his red line lies: how and when the United States will decide whether sanctions are succeeding or failing, and how committed he is to the use of force, officials and analysts following the discussions on both sides said in recent days.

Israel's Netanyahu to raise Iran during
visit with Canadian PM Steven Harper

 
Netanyahu and Harper, shown in 2010
Photo / Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld

Canadian PM Stephen Harper will meet with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Ottawa on Friday. Harper will welcome Netanyahu on Parliament Hill shortly after 11 a.m. ET. They will have a short bilateral meeting, then speak to the media. Netanyahu will also meet Friday with Governor General David Johnston.

Security in the Middle East and the continuing violence in Syria are expected to be discussed by the two leaders, but earlier in the week, Netanyahu said Iran will be at the centre of talks with Harper and with U.S. President Barack Obama, when he meets with him Monday.

US, Israel defense chiefs meet

 
Ehud Barak, Gen. Martin Dempsey, and Leon Panetta meet at the Pentagon
Photo / Dept. of Defense, Chad McNeeley

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday met with his Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak. Press secretary George Little said, "They discussed the US-Israel defense relationship and a range of regional issues including Syria, Iran and the ongoing changes in the Middle East." Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey also attended.

Netanyahu to 'break new ground' in AIPAC speech

 
Netanyahu at AIPAC in 2011
Photo / AP

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his top advisors have been working on his AIPAC speech for a number of days. Outside of the brief statements he and Obama are expected to give after their meeting Monday -- a statement the two sides are working on -- the speech will be Netanyahu's only public comments in Washington. He is expected to address both Iran's nuclear march, and the stymied diplomatic process with the Palestinians.