Leon Panetta, the US defence secretary, suggested that Israel carried a portion of the blame for its deteriorating relationship with Turkey and Egypt, two vital allies whose ties with the Jewish state have become increasingly strained in recent weeks.
Speaking as he arrived in the Holy Land on Monday for talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Mr Panetta gave warning that Israel's dependence on its military dominance was not a sufficient safeguard given the dramatic shifts in the Middle East's political landscape in the wake of the Arab Spring.
"There's not much question in my mind that they maintain that (military) edge," he said. "But the question you have to ask is it enough to maintain a military edge if you're isolating yourself in the diplomatic arena.
"At this dramatic time in the Middle East, when there have been so many changes, it's not a good situation for Israel to become increasingly isolated. And that's what happening." » | Adrian Blomfield, Jerusalem | Monday, October 03, 2011
