It is no small irony that the man recently described as "the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be" was on Monday appointed US ambassador to the world's prime diplomatic institution. The description came from Republican Senator George Voinovich and refers to John Bolton, President George W. Bush's new envoy to the United Nations. Mr Bush's recess appointment will deservedly court controversy at home. Abroad, attention will focus on whether Mr Bolton's appointment will spur UN reform or slacken it.

By appointing the new ambassador during Congress's August break, Mr Bush has stretched his executive prerogative to the limit. The move represents a snub to the Senate and Democrats in particular, who had twice blocked a vote on Mr Bolton's nomination. Ignoring Congress on a key ambassadorial appointment is needless provocation from the White House and threatens to poison Mr Bush's relations with the Democrats in Congress.