The new US ambassador to Greece

Putting aside the hyperbole and simplistic comments, let alone the sexist ones, concerning the newly designated US ambassador to Athens, Kimberly Guilfoyle, the informed observer who has followed Greek-American relations over the years knows that what's important in an ambassador in a post like Athens is the ability to influence policy at the highest levels.

It is true that as Guilfoyle is not part of the State Department bureaucracy, she will not have the same access to and impact on the formulation of regional policy as other ambassadors might have as a result of their professional knowledge of a country or region, as well as their personal relationships with colleagues in Washington who are responsible for policy planning.

But that is only part of the story, and a misleading one, as Guilfoyle, being a known vocal political advocate and supporter of the president,...