Sackcloth and ashes. The mood at the World Bank remains funereal, but the mourning is especially spectacular amongst the Bank's Middle East specialists.

The Bank sees it key role (ppt) in the region as providing "knowledge services" (advice to you and me), rather than money.

Senior staff are said to be convinced that, with Paul Wolfowitz at the helm, they will lose credibility with their government contacts. The Bank risks being seen as an arm of US foreign policy.

Although I imagine Wolfie is worried as hell by the prospect of leading an overwhelmingly hostile staff, I imagine that he would be quite happy to see a more chilly relationship with certain governments.

Expect tough love at best from Bank if your country's on the new President's shit list!

David Steven ~ March 20, 2005

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