It might not be a crisis on the scale of the ongoing war in Iraq, but finding a successor to the disgraced Paul Wolfowitz as head of the World Bank is proving a considerable headache for US President George W. Bush.
The bank's new president must fill two roles; most urgently to erase the scandal from an institution tainted by Mr Wolfowitz's resignation over an improper promotion and pay rise for his girlfriend.
Equally as important, the new boss must find a way to unite the 185 member nations that are split over the direction of the 63-year-old institution, which provides economic advice and loans to developing nations.
Mr Bush, who has asked US Treasury chief Henry Paulson to consult other countries before making a nomination, says he is minded to follow tradition and appoint an American.
All 10 previous presidents have come from the US, which is the bank's largest shareholder with a stake of more than 16 per cent.
It would disadvantage fancied candidates such as Ashraf Ghani, the former Afghanistan finance minister, and Nigerian Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the bank's former vice-president, and sound a flat note for outsiders such as rock star Bono and Tony Blair, the outgoing British Prime Minister.
Three Americans, therefore, head a crowded list of possible successors to Mr Wolfowitz, who stands down on June 30.