How has Israel replied to eight years of US arguments under the Obama administration? Now we know. Responding to John Kerry's shower of words explaining those arguments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they are "almost as unbalanced as the anti-Israel resolution passed at the UN last week." This is the complete transcript and video record of Netanyahu's 13 minute reply to yesterday's 73 minute speech by the US Secretary of State.

According to one assessment by Israeli intelligence, Russian President Vladamir Putin and Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan are scrambling to take advantage of the power vacuum left in the Middle East by US President Barack Obama. As Moscow soldifies it superpower presence there, it is already carving up a portion of Syria for shared control with Ankara.

There is a growing sense that a military showdown between the US and Russia is inevitable. In Syria and throughout the Middle East, minor players are likely to step aside and run for cover.

Last Friday, the US and Russia announced a ceasefire that is scheduled to begin at midnight tonight. The real news, however, is not a dubious hope for peace.

The US decision to remove its nuclear arsenal from Turkey is apparent confirmation that, almost overnight, Erdoğan has abandoned his alliance with the West and shifted to the East, vis-a-vis Moscow. His anticipated welcome to Tehran's superpower teammates, Russia and China, has sobering implications for Israel.