On the eve of a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a North American head of government gives a detailed interview about his views on Israel and Iran. Guess which leader it was!

Atlantic writer Jeffrey Goldberg’s interview with Obama should be required reading for everyone who plans to follow  Netanyahu’s visit to Ottawa today. Netanyahu’s host, Stephen Harper, may be even more congenial than Obama will be on Monday, but the United States still counts in Israel’s calculations in a way Canada won’t. In the interview, Obama takes pains to portray himself as an unconditional strategic ally of Israel; an opponent of Iran’s “unacceptable” nuclear ambitions; and as a tough guy. He even dusts off his “Vulcans never bluff” stance for the occasion. Do have a look.