Nicholas Burns, professor of the practice of diplomacy and international politics at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, wrote an opinion piece in the Boston Globe touting Hillary Clinton’s accomplishments as Secretary of State. Below are a few of the highlights:
• “Having worked for both Republican and Democratic secretaries of state, I think her [Hillary Clinton’s] performance in one of Washington’s toughest cabinet positions stands up well.”
• “She implemented Obama’s Asia pivot by focusing on that critical region as a first priority. She stood up to Beijing’s bullying of the Philippines and Vietnam in a dramatic test of wills with the Chinese Foreign Minister at an ASEAN meeting in 2010.”
• “She negotiated successfully to expand the international sanctions on Iran that eventually forced that difficult government to the negotiating table.”
• “She does not get enough credit for brokering an end to the rocket war between Hamas and Israel in late 2012, averting a possible major conflict.”
• “Clinton also brought to the office some of Madeleine Albright’s passion for democracy and human rights and the skill of Condoleezza Rice and James Baker in deploying American diplomatic power.”
• “As Nicholas Kristof wrote recently in The New York Times, she touted the importance of integrating development more closely with diplomacy and promoted programs to help women and girls succeed, especially in poorer countries.”
• “She is a protean figure on the national stage — experienced, tough-minded, and smart with in-depth knowledge of issues great and arcane.”
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE