This hasn't been widely noted in the United States, but Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman met right-wing Israeli leader Avigdor Lieberman Sunday.

Joe Lieberman told the local press he "wanted to meet Lieberman, because he will play an important role in the next government, so it's important that we in the US get to know him well."

The rise of Avigdor Liebermam -- and his likely role in an Netanyahu goverment -- poses a major challenge for Israel's American allies. He's been criticized as a racist domestically for insisting that Arab citizens take a loyalty oath or be deported, and his role could do damage to a key pro-Israel talking point: That it's the region's only pluralistic democracy. (Though, of course, the coalition's leaders won't shrae his views on that point.)