your description leaves out mention of Israeli-Palestinian conflict
which is the key in all of this, as it has been for a large part of US foreign policy for many years. I expect that W. Bush will end up spending the bulk of his time either dealing directly with it, or dealing with its indirect consequences.
Looking into the future, I do not see any good coming, and I get a sinking feeling, as we're all going along for the ride.
ep
