Wolfowitz and the World Bank

As predicted my posting rate has declined rapidly as spring break has now passed. However, in an attempt to get back on track I'll briefly mention that Matt Tubin has been collecting some great links to statements and news reports regarding the nomination of Paul “they will great us as liberators” Wolfowitz as head of the World Bank. While this has inflamed a great many parties (not surprisingly most of Europe and anyone on the left in the states), it may turn out that the man can actually handle the job. That remains to be seen. What I will say is that this looks like a strategic move on the part of the administration to have in place a trusted member of the team who understands and believes in the strategic importance of promoting democracy—as enshrined in the National Security Strategy of 2002—at the head of an organization that is certainly in a position to do just that. Additionally, while the Europeans are still outraged that the US blocked their original nominee to head the IMF a few years ago (by covnention the Europeans get to choose the head of the IMF while the US gets to choose the head of the World Bank), it appears that there will be no retribution. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder came out on Tuesday in support of Wolfowitz’s nomination, effectively signaling that there will be no united opposition from Europe to his nomination. This of course makes perfect sense since Germany has been falling all over themselves to mend their relationship with the administration over the Iraq War. Opposing this nomination would have essentially put them right back in the doghouse. Stay tuned for more on this story...

Filed as:Paul Wolfowitz, World Bank