Yet when unlike 25 years ago, last summer the Olmert government led Israel to defeat in Lebanon, it weakened the standing of administration officials who view Israel as a strategic ally and oppose the Saudis, while strengthening Israel's Baker-inspired foes who view Israel as a strategic liability.

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"The emerging global view that CO2 emissions are a liability will assure an international competitive edge to Japanese technology related to energy conservation and the environment, which boasts top levels of energy efficiency, " Fukuda told the Japan National Press Club in early June.

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Family ties that can be a liability in his native China gave Guan an unusually quirky view of life.

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The shift in the regional power balance following Mubarak's fall has caused Fatah leaders to view their ties to the US as a strategic liability.

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Might the administration look at any claims they made, representations they made, things they said, with a view towards whether these might -- with respect to their own liability in this?

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