Morning Brief: Will she or won’t she?

Top Story

The Guardian is reporting, but other news outlets seem unable to confirm, news that New York Sen. Hillary Clinton intends to accept an offer to become President-elect Barack Obama’s secretary of state.

It’s not actually clear that there is a formal offer on the table just yet. The chief obstacle slowing the process appears to be former President Bill Clinton, whose ongoing entanglements with foreign governments could pose thorny legal and policy problems for the Obama administration. Bill returned from a trip to Kuwait only yesterday.

Politico‘s Ben Smith senses some “angst and ambivalence” among Obama supporters about the prospective choice of Hillary.

The Washington Post‘s Anne Kornblut does not expect any major personnel announcements “before the weekend.”

U.S. Presidential Transition

President-elect Barack Obama met with John McCain, his former opponent, in Chicago. The two men pledged to work together.

Domestic spying could be an early test for the incoming administation.

The rigor of Obama team’s vetting process is said to be “unprecedented.”

Officials aren’t sure if an expected 4 million people can fit on the National Mall for inauguration.

Economy

Ford, desperate for cash, is selling a 20 percent stake in Mazda.

Reuters wonders if the electric car is doomed.

Bank profits continue to fall around the world.

Americas

The Colombian government has declared a state of emergency to deal with popular anger over widespread investment scams.

Asia

NATO says a recent attack in Pakistani territory was carried out with the government’s consent.

An American scientist has admitted selling sensitive rocket technology to China.

China’s demand for oil is slowing along with its economy.

Middle East and Africa

Iraq’s prime minister is purging anti-corruption officials who were installed by the United States.

Baghdad has a commuter train. Seriously.

In a shift, Iran’s speaker of a parliament urged Iraqis to reject a troop deal with the United States.

Congo update: The army appears to be fracturing, the head of the armed forces was fired, and endangered mountain gorillas are caught in the crossfire.

A Saudi oil tanker that was hijacked by pirates is nearing the Somali coast.

Europe and the Caucasus

President-elect Obama spoke with Mikheil Saakashvili over the phone Monday. According to the Georgian president, Obama “underlined that he supports Georgia’s territorial integrity and paid attention to the importance of continuing reforms in Georgia.”

The outspoken queen of Spain is getting in trouble with Spanish liberals.

A French lawmaker and member of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s party shot a woman and then killed himself.

Today’s Agenda

Senate Democrats vote this morning on whether to strip Sen. Joseph Lieberman of his committee chairmanship. Odds are he keeps it.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with Seif al-Islam al-Qaddafi, the West-friendly son of the mercurial Libyan leader.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is visiting Cuba.

Photo:  Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images