[ggm]

The risk is being told no, and inviting dissent into the independence of ICANN. Not asking, means no risk of being told "no, you do as you're told" which would endanger the whole 3 legged stool. the GAC would immediately question the assumption the US government had that level of signoff, the money flows and lawyers would fire up, it would be come a shitstorm in a teacup.

The least likely outcome of asking the department of state if ICANN is "permitted" to add an HSM outside the USA, is a positive answer.

The most likely path to doing it, is not to assume you have to ask.

[tptacek]

Interesting. Thanks!

[ggm]

It's my personal opinion from beer convos with people in the circuit. As I said I have no firm proofs and you should hedge belief in this by the lack of verifyable facts.