Crocker addressed the question many Iraqis, as well as American troops and expatriates, have: “What will Obama do about Iraq?” In America, the ambassador assured, “We have one president at a time” and George W. Bush will be president for the next two and a half months. “We will have full continuity of unity and purpose as we move through our transition.” In other words, it will be, at least for now, business as usual – in this case nation-building in Iraq. The reassurance was vague and general, but few expected more. In Baghdad, the landmark election of Obama is being celebrated by most, but few are under any illusions that it will change much of anything.

At least, they insist, no change will be discernible for some time. “The government has welcomed this [result] and shows all respect to the will of the American voters,” Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari tells NEWSWEEK. “Ultimately, it will have an impact on Iraq, but I personally don’t believe there will be a dramatic change or a quick disengagement.” U.S. military brass are on a similar page. “The guidance has not changed out here,” says Air Force Maj. Gen. Mark R. Zamzow. “We continue to do what we have been doing here and our Iraqi partners are well aware of that.” That is not to say senior officers are not moved by the Obama’s ascension. “As we work our way through a period of reconciliation, this is a powerful signal to the Iraqis of democracy in action,” says Army Brig. Gen. David Perkins. Referring to Obama’s victory speech, he adds, “it shows that you are not beholden to a political party; you are beholden to the people.”

American troops are cautious about their soon to be inaugurated commander-in-chief. The U.S. military traditionally leans conservative and that is largely true in Iraq. But some enlisted personnel bristle at the suggestion that they march in lock-step with conventional wisdom. Many supported Obama and greeted his election with enthusiasm – albeit muted. At Forward Operating Base Prosperity in central Baghdad, reaction among soldiers of the 4^th Infantry Division is mixed. “The Republicans have pretty much destroyed our country,” says a 20-year-old private first class from California. A 20-year-old private from Michigan offers a historical explanation for his Obama support: “With the first George Bush, we went into debt. Clinton almost erased the debt and then the second George Bush came and racked up even more debt.” Yet another PFC says his family in Montana voted for Sen. John McCain and that he might have as well – if he’d voted. He adds though, that, “It is time for a change.” A Missouri-reared sergeant, 22, morosely decries the election results. “With the Republican Party, there’s no chance of downsizing the military and there would be less cuts,” he says. “I don’t blame Bush for the recession; it could have happened with anybody."

At a time that Iraq is seeing less violence and hearing more talk of investment and restoration of basic service, many simply hope that Obama does not arrest the process. In fact, they identify the president-elect with a strong vision for their country. Karim Wasfi has watched the campaign over the last 21 months and says Obama represents hope. “I’m more hopeful with Obama,” says Wasfi, director of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra. “I hope he gets out of the impending doom of uncertainty that’s coming. He’s got a very tough challenge, but he’s a hard worker.” Even State Department employees, officially apolitical, look to Obama for a better future. “This is so affirming about the dynamic energy in our nation - the vibrant expression of the voices of our people,” says a public diplomacy officer. “Yes, we want change.”

But many ordinary Iraqis remain unimpressed. In a country accustomed to conflict and disappointment, people have a hard time seeing how one person can have any significant impact on American policy, which many view with suspicion and distrust. “Obama has nothing to do with the Iraqi situation and we don’t expect much change to happen here, for he is not alone to decide,” says Marwan Ahmed, a government worker. “He is just a new face.” Bookshop owner Naiem Abdul Jabbar sees Obama as the chief executive of a global business that has a never-changing agenda. “An agenda,” he says, “aiming at achieving only American interests all over the world, not the interests of others, include Iraq.”

Virtually everyone, however, seems to believe that Obama is up to whatever challenges he will face. “I met him when he was here and liked him very much,” National Security Adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie tells NEWSWEEK. “After he left, we discussed it and we said “this is presidential material.’ “

-with Salih Mehdi