UPDATE: Still no Ambassador in Iraq - Republicans still blocking

THE NEED FOR AN AMBASSADOR: The United States has not had an ambassador to Iraq since Ryan Crocker retired from his post on Feb. 13. The Obama administration has nominated well-respected diplomat Chris Hill -- who negotiated the six-party talks in North Korea -- in Crocker's place, but Hill's nomination has been blocked by Senate Republicans. Initially, Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) vocally opposed Hill. Now, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) has been holding up the nomination at the behest of the right wing. Secretary of State Robert Gates recently issued a rare statement on a diplomatic appointment, saying that it is "vital that we get an ambassador in Baghdad as soon as possible." Although a "highly regarded" deputy, Robert Ford, is leading the American embassy at the moment, "only an American ambassador can bring sufficient swagger to the Green Zone's local politico circuit," observed former State Department political officer John Kael Weston. As Obama ramps up diplomatic efforts in Iraq, Hill's presence will be increasingly necessary. Press reports indicate that there is a cloture vote for Hill's nomination on the Senate calendar for April 20.