[I]t’s actually not puzzling at all why Netanyahu doesn’t form a different coalition and agree to a settlement freeze—Netanyahu favors settlement building. This is the whole trajectory of his political career, from leading the charge against the Oslo Agreement to rump Likud in a rebellion against Ariel Sharon to forming a coalition with Avigdor Lieberman. The guy’s not a fool. He knows what he’s doing.

I suspect Matt is right. If Netanyahu doesn't fire Lieberman for his UN speech, it reveals that Netanyahu's and AIPAC's alleged support for a two-state solution is merely a smoke-screen for deeper and further colonization of the West Bank, and expansion and war. I fear the Likudniks, religious settlers and AIPAC are merely trying to wait Obama out, and using the Washington media (yes, I'm talking to you, Ben Smith) to portray themselves (ludicrously) as the moderates, while planning a war on Iran, whether the US wants one or not, and regardless of the consequences for the rest of the world.

But then I'm cynical about Netanyahu.