He must be alert to bullying by Israel's likely next prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu

Oakton, Va - President-elect Barack Obama could be surprised to discover that the first foreign policy challenge he faces may not come from traditional adversaries, such as Iran or Russia, but from a perceived friend, Israel.

If the Likud candidate for prime minister, Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, wins February elections in Israel – and polls now heavily favor his party – Mr. Obama may find that this ally can be very prickly. Recall Jimmy Carter's difficulties with Menachem Begin and George H.W. Bush's troubles with Yitzhak Shamir. Early in his presidency, George W. Bush apparently decided the best way to get along with Israelis was to unashamedly accommodate Israel, regardless of collateral consequences to US foreign …