Filling the Vacuum

Nature abhors a vacuum -- and so does power. Putin plans to visit Israel for the second time as Russia's leader . . . in contrast with President Obama, who hasn't seen fit to visit at all while in office.

Obviously, Putin has been under serious criticism for the aid he has rendered to Syria's Assad -- one of Israel's enemies. But unlike President Obama, he is doing what leaders serious about world power do: He is seeking to extend his (and by extension, his country's) influence.

President Obama's indifference toward Israel and personal antipathy toward Prime Minister Netanyahu are well-known. What's unfortunate is that they're interfering with what should be one of his primary responsibilities: Making sure American interests and values are protected and promoted around the world.