Clinton Signals Engagement With Syria

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton met separately with the Palestinian president and prime minister in the West Bank today, after sitting down with Israeli leaders yesterday, and announcing the appointment of two senior envoys to Syria. Palestinian leaders implored Clinton to push for a freeze on expanding Israeli West Bank settlements, and open borders for Gaza. As the new occupants of the White House reconfigure the US approach to the Middle East, they believe Syria could be the key to the puzzle, the New York Times reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton said today that the US is “laying the groundwork” for sanctions against Iran if it doesn’t participate in nuclear talks, the BBC reports. The secretary of State said a rebuff of US overtures or continued enrichment would lead to a “very tough” response. Iran is engaged in discussions with other nations and has continued to enrich uranium despite UN sanctions. More»

She hints again about retiring after Obama's first term

(NEWSER) - After decades of living in the public eye, Hillary Clinton tells the BBC she is ready to get off the "merry-go-round" at the end of President Obama's first term and enjoy her private life, reports Politico (which has a link to the full transcript .) “I think that I am a pretty normal, average person, despite all of the hype,” Clinton said. “And I am very interested in spending time with my friends and my family." More»

The US has 'absolutely nothing invested' in Assad regime

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton is fighting mad over yesterday’s attack on US and French embassies by pro-regime protesters in Syria. In a statement yesterday, Clinton said the US “strongly condemns Syria’s failure to protect diplomatic facilities,” and essentially disowned the regime. “If anyone, including President Assad, thinks that the United States is secretly hoping the regime will emerge from this turmoil to continue its brutality and repression, they are wrong,” she said flatly. More»

Secretary of State secured Arab buy-in, convinced prez to act

(NEWSER) - President Obama came late to the decision to authorize military force against Libya , but he did so based on the counsel and efforts of Hillary Clinton, reports the New York Times . The secretary of state was herself against intervention until she secured buy-in from Arab nations; she then joined a small cadre of administration advisers calling for action, and within hours had convinced her boss to act. Clinton “had the proof,” a top adviser says, “that not only was the Arab League in favor, but that the Emirates were serious about participating.” More»