Right, so Benjamin Netanyahu believed Washington had just handed him a lifeline.

He had spoken with America's secretary of state, received promises of strong action against the institution threatening him, and felt confident enough to announce it to his Cabinet as if the outcome was already decided. A very positive development for Netanyahu, certainly.

He faced an active arrest warrant, and the most powerful government in the world was now vowing to make things very difficult for those behind it.

That seems like a win, at least while the applause is still ringing out and no one has looked at the details.

Because Washington couldn't just say, "We're doing this for Bibi." That would sound a bit unseemly, wouldn’t it? So Marco Rubio wrapped the whole move in the Stars and Stripes and cast America as the victi ...