The appointment of Hillary Clinton as US secretary of state was widely seen as a pragmatic move by President-elect Barack Obama, but commentators in some countries wondered whether it compromised his campaign promise of change.
Two Russian commentators said that the choice would allow Mr Obama to tackle "specific issues", while writers in China said that Sino-US relations would be unaffected.
One Israeli paper welcomed Mrs Clinton as "a friend of Israel", while a Palestinian commentator offered "condolences" to her in light of the difficulties she was likely to face. A pan-Arab paper denounced the selection of a "war veteran".
NIKOLAY VARDUL IN RUSSIA'S GAZETA
Hillary Clinton's appointment... brings to mind one of Obama's main election promises - to bring new politicians to Washington and profoundly change the mechanisms of decision-making... Of course, in this context his slogan of transformation is waning but at the moment it is more important to tackle specific issues.
ALEKSANDR GAYSUK IN RUSSIA'S ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA
Obama is gradually moving away from the idealistic foreign policy that he adhered to during the primaries and presidential election race, and a pragmatic approach to international affairs is prevailing. This does not mean, however, a complete abandonment of the ambitious changes in foreign policy promised by the former senator from Illinois.
YANG HONGXI IN CHINA'S ZHONGGUO JINGJI SHIBAO
The general footing of Sino-US relations will not change but it cannot be denied that in economics and trade, human rights, climate change and other links, US pressure on China is likely to increase.
SHEN DINGLI IN CHINA'S JIEFANG RIBAO
Hillary has visited China twice, and should have a better understanding of China than [predecessors Madeleine] Albright or [Condoleezza] Rice. But the Democrats have always stressed human rights and equality, and, coupled with Clinton's strong personality, this is likely to cause a degree of friction in Sino-US relations. However, China's position means that the overall condition of Sino-US relations will not change.
EITAN HABER IN ISRAEL'S YEDIOT AHARANOT
What interests us, of course, is the Israeli arena. With [Clinton's] appointment many people will define her as "friend of Israel". And indeed she is. But let there be no mistake: Clinton may be a friend of Israel but she is now US secretary of state. She is an American and she will do what is good for America.
BASIM ABU-SAMIYYAH IN PALESTINIAN AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDAH
Hillary Clinton, the former adversary of Barack Obama, has become the US secretary of state. This is a good time to congratulate her and offer her condolences at the same time... for the surprises and obstacles that await her in her new role. If she doubts what we are saying, she should ask former secretary Condoleezza Rice.
EDITORIAL IN LONDON-BASED ARABIC DAILY AL-QUDS AL ARABI
Unfortunately, [Obama and Clinton's] policy is exactly the same, as they are both hostile towards the Arabs and blindly support Israel. Their attitude can only lead to the failure of Obama's administration. Obama's team is a team of war [veterans] not peace veterans.
BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.
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