Condi Rice: Bush May Shape Obama's Foreign Policy Path

Condoleezza Rice is still proud of Barack Obama’s historic win, but the outgoing secretary of state remains pragmatic when it comes to the president-elect’s forthcoming foreign policy.

During the campaign Obama promised to thaw relations between United States and Iran and even suggested talks could be arranged, but Rice predicts Obama will have no other choice but to follow the track set by the Bush administration. During her tenure under Bush, Rice has worked with the European Union, Russia and China to build a multilateral team to tackle Iran, which many fear is getting closer to achieving nuclear power.

With so much work done on this coalition, says Rice, Obama will most likely have to stick to a broader game plan. And not just with Iran, but also the Palestine-Israel conflict and North Korea. Insisted the diplomat: "The reason why there might be some elements of continuity is that what we’ve tried to do is to arrange or organize international groupings that can first manage and then resolve these very difficult problems in a multilateral way.” She also said many of our allies also believe the existing structures best suit their objectives. She also insisted, however, that the Obama administration will bring its own energy to the talks.

Rice’s words will no doubt resonate among his Cabinet, many of whom lean more center than left and have progressives calling "foul" on Obama’s platform of "change." Other than Obama, of course, the most important decisions will come from secretary of state nominee Hillary Clinton. You’ll recall she struck a hawkish note when asked by Iran during the presidential campaign — the Senator said she would "obliterate" the nation should they use nukes on Israel. Knowing Clinton, though, we’re sure that wouldn’t be her first tactic. She’s tough as nails, yes, but she’s certainly not a mad woman.