The 2010 Herzliya Conference in Israel ended with a whimper on Wednesday evening. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, delivering the 2010 Herzliya Lecture, stunned the audience of Israeli and international security experts by using his prime time platform to speak about almost every issue except Israel’s security.

Netanyahu’s speech focused on the need for Israel to have a strong economy, and his government’s plans to increase understanding and appreciation for Israel’s heritage. Worthy messages, indeed. But the fact that he failed to discuss Israel’s greatest threat, Iran, or barely even touch on other major issues, such as Syria, Lebanon, or the peace process, had conference participants buzzing as the conference ended.  Some speculated that the speech was a dig at the conference organizers who took over their duties after the previous conference chairman, Uzi Arad, became Netanyahu’s national security advisor.  Others speculated that this implied that some major developments were underway on Iran — this was perhaps the silence before the storm.