What the Secretary Has Been Saying
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In her confirmation testimony, Hillary Rodham Clinton said: "The best way to advance America's interests in reducing global threats and seizing global opportunities is to design and implement global solutions. ...We must use what has been called "smart power," the full range of tools at our disposal -- diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal and cultural -- picking the right tool or combination of tools for each situation. With smart power, diplomacy will be the vanguard of our foreign policy."
On arrival for her first day as Secretary of State, she addressed Department employees: "There are three legs to the stool of American foreign policy: defense, diplomacy, and development. And we are responsible for two of the three legs. And we will make clear, as we go forward, that diplomacy and development are essential tools in achieving the long-term objectives of the United States. And I will do all that I can, working with you, to make it abundantly clear that robust diplomacy and effective development are the best long-term tools for securing America's future."
"… we must acknowledge two inescapable facts that define our world: First, no nation can meet the world’s challenges alone. …Second, most nations worry about the same global threats, from non-proliferation to fighting disease to counter-terrorism, but also face very real obstacles – for reasons of history, geography, ideology, and inertia. …These two facts demand a different global architecture – one in which states have clear incentives to cooperate and live up to their responsibilities, as well as strong disincentives to sit on the sidelines or sow discord and division…
"… Building the architecture of global cooperation requires us to devise the right policies and use the right tools. I speak often of smart power because it is so central to our thinking and our decision-making. …Smart power translates into specific policy approaches in five areas. First, we intend to update and create vehicles for cooperation with our partners; second, we will pursue principled engagement with those who disagree with us; third, we will elevate development as a core pillar of American power; fourth, we will integrate civilian and military action in conflict areas; and fifth, we will leverage key sources of American power, including our economic strength and the power of our example…."
Through this web page, the Bureau of Public Affairs releases all speeches, testimony, briefings, statements, and other remarks from the Secretary of State as soon as they are available. (Also see daily press briefings by the Department Spokesman and other releases from the Press Relations Office.)
Future U.S.-Afghan Relations
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 15): "We agree that our goal here is to defeat al-Qaida. That has been a clear goal and a mission from the President ever since he made his commitment of additional troops back in the spring. And we understand that the Afghans themselves need help in order to defend themselves against the Taliban. Those are mutually reinforcing missions. But our highest obligation is the American people. It is to do everything we can to make sure that America is secure, that our allies, our interests around the world, are protected. And that is what we are focused on." Full Text
The U.S. Role in World Affairs
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 13): "We have a lot of challenges at home that we need to address, particularly the economic ones. …If we are not involved, people want us involved; and if we’re involved, they say, oh, well, you shouldn’t be involved, except if we aren’t, then they want us back. There’s an expectation that we will be involved in political activities around the world, and…we’re going to do our best to try to be helpful." Full Text
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