21.   But both coalitions are ultimately likely to lose heavily to the SDS.

22.   But coalitions can be useful.

23.   But from the time Barak took office last July, the coalition was fractious.

24.   But from the time Barak took office in July, the coalition was fractious.

25.   But he also acted after concluding that his fractious Likud coalition was not prepared to follow through on the Wye agreement.

26.   But coalitions are inherently unstable.

27.   But holding the coalition together should be a means to achieving its anti-terrorism goals, not the goal in itself.

28.   But if the coalitions that are likely to form are uncertain, the math of the Senate is clear.

29.   But his fractious center-left coalition has not been much help.

30.   But it is not clear what that coalition might be.