The upshot of Trump's zero foreign policy experience

PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump shares one weakness with former presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W Bush - none of them had much foreign-policy experience when they became president, and each was only partially successful in global diplomacy.

Mr Trump's limitations are compounded by his misunderstanding of world affairs, which necessitates that he pick a Secretary of State with substantial expertise in international diplomacy. Such a candidate does not exist within the Trump entourage of right-wingers, and Mr Trump may find it difficult to appoint someone from the Republican establishment who opposes his foreign-policy platform.

On the one hand, there is no cause for undue alarm because some earlier presidents have also lacked foreign-policy experience, and they had to rely on their advisers and the Secretary of State. On the other hand, in the case of Mr Trump most of his entourage suffers from the same malady - lack of experience.