Hillary Reprises Star Role in Her Third Act

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»

Blunt talk and campaign-style events ruffle some diplomatic feathers

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton has impressed many in her 8 months as secretary of state but her own leadership aspirations are sometimes all too obvious, Glenn Kessler writes at the Washington Post. Clinton has forged close working relationships with other Cabinet members and made her desire to cooperate clear, Kessler writes, but she has also seemed out of step with the administration at times, and analysts see her as pursuing her own agenda on issues like women's rights. More»

(NEWSER) - Critics who say Barack Obama is forcing Hillary Clinton to keep a low profile, a la a Daily Beast charge that it's time to let her take off the burqa, don't understand how foreign policy gets made in America, Anne Applebaum writes at the Washington Post. Clinton's post at State is a "fabulously ill-defined job," Applebaum writes, and one that offers her plenty of scope to set her own agenda and engage with the world as she chooses. More»

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton’s transition from presidential candidate to secretary of state wasn’t easy—and neither is the new gig—but the former first lady has taken it all in stride, the New York Times reports. “I love the job; I mean, it’s really hard,” Clinton said, likening the post to being the “mayor of a good-sized small city.” But though many agree she’s comfortable, some think her impact could be greater. 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»