The USA has suffered some further losses in the Middle East with the collapse of its diplomacy over Syria at the UN and, to add insult to injury, the announcement by the Egyptian authorities that several young American political activists may face trial.

The diplomat making the most noise in both instances is America’s UN delegate, Susan Rice. She used the word “disgusting” in the former instance and has entered into full finger wagging mode in the second. There can be little doubt now that she is auditioning for her next job.

Americans occasionally like a schoolmarmish Secretary of State: e.g. JF Dulles, Madeleine Albright.  More to the point, they can be useful presidential foils. But they pose a big risk. Rare is the wagging finger that stops or prevents a war.