John Kerry has just sworn in as US secretary of state, an excellent choice given his experience and ability. The question, however, is whether Kerry can bring change to US foreign policy.

As a veteran of the Vietnam War, Kerry knows war firsthand, and as a man of conscience and conviction, he spoke out against that war.

There is no doubt that the Vietnam War left a profound and lifelong impression on Kerry, as it did for secretary of defense nominee Chuck Hagel. Will this translate into restraint in the use of force in US foreign policy?

Kerry has nearly three decades of experience on the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. This extensive exposure to and involvement in foreign policy is certainly a strong and solid foundation for a new role as secretary of state.

When I served on the committee, I assisted Kerry and his staff on several sensitive major investigations. Kerry is exceptionally hardworking and astute. While he naturally has a certain professional reserve and can be tough on opponents, those who know him can vouch that he has a warm and engaging side and treats staff with the utmost respect and courtesy.

There is no question that Kerry seeks a better future for the US and seeks a better world.

But the real issue remains US foreign policy. Many are disappointed that the last four years saw no "change" by the Obama administration despite campaign promises. Continuity with the Bush administration appeared the order of the day, and some said it was merely a "Bush Lite" policy.

Middle East policy has been a disaster for the US since 9/11 attack. While punitive strikes against Afghanistan and Al Qaeda were certainly justified, the US fell into a trap by unnecessarily invading Iraq and then expanding its role in Afghanistan. 

The Obama administration mistakenly delayed ending the Iraq War in a timely and effective manner, and it mistakenly escalated the war in Afghanistan into a full-blown counterinsurgency war.

While the US has withdrawn from Iraq, Kerry will be involved in the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Will the US reach out to regional stakeholders to facilitate this process? Will the US engage Russia, India, China, Pakistan, and Iran for example in this process in order to help create some sense of order? What about the role of the UN in this process?

The so-called regime change policy has been on the front burner of US foreign policy since the Clinton administration.

Under Obama, regime change policy continued with a vengeance against Egypt, Syria, and Libya, thereby destabilizing the Middle East and unleashing extremism to include international terrorism linked to Al Qaeda.

Will Kerry seek to alter US Middle East policy? Will the US end its regime change policy against Syria which has placed Washington in alliance with international terrorist organizations?

Will the US end its collaboration with Al Qaeda-linked terrorist organizations in Libya, the very ones which overthrew Muammar Gaddafi? Will the US restrain its engagement with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt? What about Palestine? Obama and then secretary of state Hillary Clinton did nothing to promote a just solution.

In fact, Washington has looked the other way for four years of Israeli aggression and outrages against Gaza and the West Bank. 

Washington has not lifted a finger to prevent Israel from illegally annexing land in the West Bank and creating illegal settlements. Will Kerry be any more effective than Clinton?

What about the continued Cold War mentality when it comes to Russia and to China? The Obama policy has been one of containment in both cases. Will this change?

Will Washington undertake a policy of constructive engagement toward Moscow and Beijing? Or will the US continue to pursue hegemonism overtly and covertly under various guises?

As secretary of state, Kerry will face unprecedented challenges. Constructive change is needed in US foreign policy in order for Washington to help build a new, peaceful and cooperative international system.

The author is an educator and former senior professional staff member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn