Some retired diplomatssuggest that Secretary Bolton's positions on various controversial arms control treaties should disqualify him from serving at the UN.
South Korean diplomatssuggest that the government may announce a halt to remaining business ties with the North, except through the cross-border industrial complex, known as Kaesong.
Uncertainty leading up to the next election, and growing anxiety among diplomats and foreign observers of Bangladesh, suggest a hard, tense time ahead.
The position of European governments is not yet clear - that is what the diplomats are busy finalising this week - but recent polls in Europe suggest their populations strongly support the idea of Palestinian membership at the UN.