David Warren: Pause

The Ottawa Citizen ^ | January 15, 2005 | David Warren

[quidnunc]

I've been writing less about Iraq and the Middle East lately, because I've been taking my breath. Several large matters are in transition, and it is almost impossible at this distance (or perhaps at any distance) to see what will come out.

One of these large matters is the transition of the Bush administration into its second term. The appointment of Condoleezza Rice to replace the retiring Colin Powell at the U.S. State Department is not a clear shift to right or left, an advance or retreat from what has previously been understood as the "Bush doctrine". It will become clearer when Ms Rice has made a statement or two after assuming the office.

From what I've seen so far (things like her appointment of the "pragmatic" Robert Zoellick over the "neoconservative" John Bolton as her deputy), more likely a retreat than an advance. That Ms Rice has also taken Nicholas Burns aboard (he was the ambassador to NATO), and Robert Joseph (over with her from the National Security Council), suggests that she and President Bush have put a premium on rebuilding American diplomatic relations with Europe, which can only come at a cost in momentum.

But you never know until the rubber hits the road. It would be a mistake to assume that any of these gentlemen, let alone Ms Rice herself, is a softie. They are all exceedingly tough negotiators, and the question is, with whom will they find themselves negotiating, and over what? Events invariably trump plans. Meanwhile, the Rice appointment has not even been confirmed by the U.S. Senate yet. (Next week.)

-snip-

[quidnunc]

FYI

[iopscusa]

A Canadians opinion is worth less than their ability to project power! Who cares about them.

[WOSG]

He is one of my favorite commentators. Thanks for posting.