Rice Has Nothing Left to Prove

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»

(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»

It's time to seize 'New American Moment'

(AP) - The Obama administration's approach to foreign policy is beginning to pay important dividends, Hillary Clinton asserted today, in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations. "We are advancing America's interests," she said. "Today we can say with confidence that this model of American leadership works, and that it offers our best hope in a dangerous world." More»

Campaign feud gets in the way of foreign policy

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton visited Armenia last week, trying to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh disagreement and resolve the country's dispute with Turkey over the massacres of 1915. “You’ve got to salute Hillary,” writes Roger Cohen of the New York Times . “It’s a heck of a job being secretary of state when the White House puts a tight collar around the big issues — Afghanistan, Iran, Israel-Palestine and Iraq — and you’re left with Nagorno-Karabakh.” More»

Former secretary of state says she knows how difficult issue is

(NEWSER) - Condoleezza Rice isn't joining critics on the right who say President Obama is soft on national security. "You give your successor a break," she said at a Cincinnati fundraiser. "I know how (difficult) it is on the inside." Terrorists, she said, "have to be right just once. We have to be right 100% of the time." More»