"Dont expect big changes in foreign policy"

I chose this article because it has some relevance to discussions in class about Obama's cabinet and appointee choices, specifically those of Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates. Courtesy of the New Republic, Editor John B. Judis wants to have a little quality time with AP Gov students.

Ok, we get it, it takes time to maneuver any kind of dramatic foreign policy changes. The fact that things need to stay somewhat consistent with our previous trends is somewhat of a given. And I do think that the fact Obama kept Gates reflects this fact. The decision to keep Gates on board doesn't necessarily mean that Obama is going to up and invade Iran. From a purely common sense point of view, the great benefit of keeping Gates on board is that now we dont have to waste a bunch of time moving in new leadership for the Iraq war. I'm sure a bunch of people, including myself, would rather see somebody in power who is familiar with the situation and the department behind it, and that has the wherewithal to get our troops out in a timely manner (whenever that happens to roll around). Does this mean that Obama is breaking his campaign promises? Well honestly I haven't paid close enough attention to the finer points of Obama's Iraq time table, but does this mean that Obama plans to stand around in Iraq for another two years while we look for somebody else to invade? I seriously doubt it.
Another interesting point that Judis brought up was that the merging of the Bush and Obama foreign policies wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Specific examples he brought up were diplomatic relations between North Korea and Iran, as well as expanding our relationship with Russia. It seems interesting however, that Obama is given the heat when in actuality Bush seems to be moving towards a more moderate foreign policy. It will be interesting to see the finalized copy of foreign affairs that Bush leaves for Obama, and while im sure there are some interesting points of continuity between the two leaders, there are still gaping holes of policy differences that Obama will make changes upon coming his inauguration to the White House. His cabinet in particular, minus Robert Gates, definitely has a different ideological makeup than shrub's second term in office, and it will be interesting to see just how much of the United States foreign policy remains constant and how much of it is changed.