Nations across the globe, but especially in the Middle East, anxiously follow President-elect Barack Obama’s moves that are bound to decide the course of his foreign policy.

The first sign about the direction Obama could be taking is his selection of staff and Cabinet members. And while some high-profile officials are already said to be jockeying for Cabinet posts, one position has been covered: that of White House chief-of-staff.

House representative from Illinois Rahm Emanuel, nicknamed Rambo because of his reputation as one of the most ferociously combative figures in Washington, was chosen for this very important position that will make him privy to the president’s most sensitive qdecision-taking processes.

That in itself should not make one apprehensive. What is worrisome, however, is Emanuel’s disturbing credentials, his strong pro-Israeli stance, familiar to all those who know him since he served former US president Bill Clinton in a similar capacity.

Of course, depending on how the administration, indeed the president, wishes to use such credentials, they could serve as a double-edged sword.

On the upside, Emanuel’s strong ties with Israel could be used as leverage to make Tel Aviv finally reach a fair and lasting peace with all the Arab countries.

Obama has often said during his presidential campaign that one of his priorities is to see peace attained on the Palestinian-Israeli front. For this to happen, he needs people who can influence Israeli leaders, especially now when hardline former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to win the planned Israeli elections.

On the downside, Emanuel’s record as a politician with family connections in Israel may make him less amenable to resorting to pressure Tel Aviv when it comes to such sensitive issue as peace with the Arabs.

He might turn out to be a hardliner rather than a peacemaker, which does not bode well for us in the Middle East.

Of course, it is simply too early to pass judgement on Obama’s policies or, for that matter, on Emanuel’s future performance.

All we can do is wait for additional signals to be sent by the US about its new direction and hope for the best. Wait for the change Obama has promised and that maybe, just maybe, could magically come to this part of the world to make it peaceful and prosperous.