HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_027099.txt

The document discusses repairing the widening rift between the United States and Israel regarding Iran's nuclear program. The author believes that the Israeli fear of a nuclear Iran is genuine and not a political trick by Prime Minister Netanyahu or Defense Minister Ehud Barak, as a nuclear Iran would bolster and encourage extremist militant forces across the region. The moderates would be discouraged, intimidated, and inevitably weakened to the point where they would be unable to negotiate with Israel. To repair this rift, it is necessary to understand that both Israel and the United States need to cooperate closely in addressing the Iranian threat.