Some argue that the appointment of Hillary to the state department might create problems with Vice President elect Joseph Biden, who has wide experience in foreign affairs and might expect to shape the Obama administration’s national security policy.

Hillary’s nomination could also disappoint Senator John Kerry, who was the losing Democratic Presidential candidate in the 2004 elections and an early backer of Obama’s quest for the White House. If he does not get the job at the state department, Kerry is expected to inherit Biden’s current powerful position as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Iran move

President George W. Bush appears to have set the stage for an early diplomatic initiative on Iran by his successor. For months now, there has been speculation in Washington that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has recommended the opening of the American interests section in Tehran. Bush has apparently put a hold on this decision.

Although the US and Iran have had intermittent contact since the Islamic revolution rocked Tehran in 1978 and put it at odds with Washington, there has been no American diplomatic presence in Iran. If Obama does want to keep his word on engaging Iran, the establishment of an interests section in Tehran might offer a perfect opening gambit.

(The writer is a Professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.)

iscrmohan@ntu.edu.sg