1. The Biden to-do list

The big task for the incoming Biden administration is reconfiguring, revising and rethinking what's possible in light of divided government.

• The new Senate reality forces Biden officially to the center. It validates the incoming administration's view that the country isn't that progressive, while giving them some political cover to cut deals. 

Why it matters: Look for more emphasis on the administrative side, such as rule-making and executive orders. While President-elect Biden might have some faith in cutting deals with Senate Republicans, his staff has far less. 

The big task for the incoming Biden administration is reconfiguring, revising and rethinking what's possible in light of divided government.

• The new Senate reality forces Biden officially to the center. It validates the incoming administration's view that the country isn't that progressive, while giving them some political cover to cut deals. 

Why it matters: Look for more emphasis on the administrative side, such as rule-making and executive orders. While President-elect Biden might have some faith in cutting deals with Senate Republicans, his staff has far less. 

This all unfolds of course amid a pandemic, as more than 100,000 COVID-19 cases are being reported each day.

• Biden will announce a pandemic task force on Monday, ahead of any other Cabinet or senior staff appointments.
• Aides say that longer term, a Biden administration will re-engage with the World Health Organization and work on global and domestic vaccine distribution — while developing federal standards on mask protocols and pushing for a relief package for hospitals and state and local governments.

Other top priorities:

• Spending: Work on an economic relief bill will start before inauguration with a possible package in the lame-duck Congress. Beyond that, the Biden team is debating whether to make one big ask to Congress or push for a series of incremental packages. A lot depends on the final Senate makeup, as well as the severity of the pandemic.
• Taxes: Biden had pledged to push for a corporate tax increase and higher taxes on the wealthy, but don’t expect tax legislation to be on the spring agenda.
• Immigration: Roll back all of President Trump’s executive orders and implement new ones. Democrats point out that Trump did 24 orders in his first 100 days; Biden will do more. Later in the year, he'll look at legislation on Dreamers.
• Climate: Rejoin the Paris Agreement on Day One, but any legislative action gets very hard. The administration will have to decide whether to seek trillions to invest in the green economy or push for a price on carbon. It's unclear if there's an appetite for either.
• Iran: Send an immediate signal to Europeans and Tehran about rejoining the nuclear deal and a possible offer of humanitarian assistance to Iran to signal good intent.
• Europe: Send a message that allies matter, and call every leader with the message, "We're back." Plan a big presence at the Munich Security Conference, even if it's virtual.
• Russia: Immediately start negotiating a START II extension, which expires Feb. 5. Punish Putin if election meddling is found. 
• China: Keep some Trump tariffs in place and take a look at agricultural purchases. Tariffs may be lifted, but only in exchange for something in return from the Chinese.