Already in Motion

No surprise to anybody, but Bush's recess appointment of John Bolton is simply a mechanism to promote his already in motion Agenda for the UN:

"Most of the reforms sought by the United States are well on their way to completion," said a senior administration official, speaking anonymously to avoid undercutting the rationale for the Bolton appointment. Another said that because so much had been achieved, there was little concern that Mr. Bolton's combative personality would jeopardize the agenda.

Mr. Bolton arrives at a time when significant disputes, such as those involving the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, could well come before the Security Council for review and possible sanctions. Another key question is whether to allow one or more new nations permanent seats on the Council; Japan, Germany, India and Brazil are vying to join the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.

While the United States supports a seat for Japan, Bush administration officials say they do not want to press for it until the other changes they have sought are put into place in September, when the General Assembly meets.

United Nations and American diplomats are predicting that the main challenge facing Mr. Bolton will be less to "reform" the United Nations than to convince his conservative admirers in Congress that recent changes are real, particularly those put in place after scandals in the oil-for-food program and in some peacekeeping operations.

The Wheels have already been turning...