The IDF's current siege of Gaza City, its control over northern Gaza, its naval quarantine of the coast and its bombardment and isolation of the border zone with Egypt could cause Hamas to sue for a cease-fire on less than victorious terms.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Iran's Gaza diversion

In December 2011, he opted for diplomatic isolation by vetoing the euro zone's plan to embed its fiscal pact in the EU treaties rather than risk confrontation with his party's Europhobes in parliament.

WSJ: The EU Waiting Game Is Over For Cameron

Days earlier in Paris, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel, the French president and German chancellor, had all but given Britain an ultimatum: accept their plan to rewrite the laws of the EU, or prompt the 17 members of the euro zone to seek a separate deal and risk British isolation.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne