How long the Greens will be able to exercise so much power will be determined to a large extent on how they wield it now.

BBC: Greens enjoy taste of power in Australia's parliament

The first thing to note is that the manner in which he will exercise power formally is of no importance.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: In Russia, a landslide to tyranny

If they fail to exercise that power vigorously with respect to the nomination of Harold Koh to be the top State Department lawyer, they will not only have been derelict.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy