OP-ED: Obama Starts Well with the Right Choices (New Zealand Herald)

One of the oft-repeated criticisms of Barack Obama during his run to the White House was that his foreign policy was naive to the point of being highly dangerous to America's best interests. The President-elect's misreading of history would undercut the United States in its dealings with adversaries such as Iran and North Korea and offer sustenance to terrorist groups, said opponents.

Such critics would have strengthened in number had Mr Obama chosen idealists and ideologues for the key positions in his national security team. He has not. Fortunately, those selected, including, most notably, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, are all of an utterly pragmatic disposition.

Any concerns should have been further allayed by Mr Obama's statement as he unveiled those appointments.

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