Thank you, and you’re completely right to bring out the potential practical benefits of exercising ’soft power’.

I also agree with you about how irritating the simplistic ‘hawk/dove’ descriptions are. Foreign policy analysis needs a few more words at its disposal than simply describing people as one of two different types of bird.

Her best hope now is to do a good job, and hope she’s in good health for a 2016 run (she’ll be 69). Brilliant move by Obama!

The current Secretary of State is Condoleezza Rice. Does anyone seriously believe she is carrying out her own foreign policy independent of Bush and Cheney? Its absurd to think Clinton is going to go off on her own while Obama will have different plans.

She is highly intelligent and commands strong support – she is right for the job. Some of the lefties in the US increasingly sound like the Trots here, its worrying.

I would also underscore heavily your point re Hillary Clinton’s track record on and prioritisation of women’s rights. When people talk about ’soft power and non-military means’, one would expect them to talk about approaches to development as well, but almost no commentator here in the UK has done so. . And yet women’s empowerment and education are critical to any sustainable development strategy and fundamental to poverty reduction(including notions of pro-poor growth), improving health and envirnomental protection. The fact that she has been at the forefront on these issues can mean a very signficant ‘change’ and a progressive one to boot!!

Thank you. Over on CiF and elsewhere, people remain captivated by the CDS narratives while mired in simplistic characterisations of Clinton as a ‘hawk’ or Kissingerist as opposed to Obama as some undefined ‘good.’ It will be interesting to see how specific policies are developed and then played out.

Its reason and brilliance is demonstrated by the lack of opposition.

I think that Obama will upset liberals and conservatives alike. He’s a moderate and a realist – which is never welcome in our divided body politic.

America – and the wider world – needs much more than partisan talking points. The U.S., like the UK and beyond, is a mess. Guide us, someone…please.

Could the contrast between US and UK politics be any greater than it is now?

This will be fascinating to watch!