Secretary Clinton helped restore America’s leadership and standing in the world during a time of global challenges and changes. After the mess of international relationships the Bush administration left, she had her work cut out for her. But the people at America Rising won’t let the facts stand in the way of titillating yarn.
In fact, they attacked Clinton in a new eBook, falsely accusing that, “At the end of Secretary Clinton’s tenure, there was no region in the world where our alliances were stronger or our enemies weaker thanks to Secretary Clinton’s diplomacy.”
In reality, Secretary Clinton worked tirelessly to revitalize American diplomacy and strengthen alliances by traveling nearly a million miles for hundreds of meetings with foreign leaders in 112 countries. As America’s lead diplomat, Secretary Clinton understood the importance of engaging the public and took diplomacy directly to people around the world. Just as she was as a senator, Secretary Clinton was a workhorse, often taking on difficult challenges and addressing them directly around the world.
It would be easy to claim the folks at America Rising are ignorant of the facts, but in reality, the truth has been well documented. Clinton engaged Russia to advance American interests while being clear-eyed about Putin and Russian ambitions. Clinton’s diplomacy served American interests with Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and China among others. That is why, in part, when Sec. Clinton left office, the world viewed the United States more favorably than it did just before she took office according to Pew Research Polls. That is why her leadership and diplomacy have been extensively praised by world leaders, in editorials and books around the world.
BACKGROUND:
U.S. Diplomatic Engagement in Critical States
RUSSIA
Secretary Clinton was clear-eyed when it came to President Putin and understood the opportunity presented to achieve critical goals during Medvedev’s tenure. In 2010, the Carnegie Endowment issued a report on U.S.-Russia relations. It said, “Having fallen to a historic low after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, U.S.-Russiacooperation is again on the rise, thanks to last year’s ‘reset’ of the relationship.” The report goes on to say, “The improved tone in U.S.-Russia relations is itself an important accomplishment of the reset.” During her tenure, Secretary Clinton worked successfully to secure Russia’s cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan, reaching a historic “lethal transit” agreement, allowing U.S. military planes to transport lethal materials over Russia to Afghanistan.
While Secretary Clinton made progress with Russia, including the New START treaty and cooperation on Iran and Afghanistan, she refused to defend Russia’s policies when they clashed with our own. When Russia and China used their veto to block U.N. action against Syria, she said, “It’s quite distressing to see two permanent members of the Security Council using their veto when people are being murdered, women, children, brave young men. Houses are being destroyed. It is just despicable. And I ask, whose side are they on?” [ABC News, 2/24/12]
AFGHANISTAN
Clinton oversaw a tripling in the number of diplomats, development experts and civilian specialists in Afghanistan to support alternatives to extremism and insurgency and promote stability. Secretary Clinton: “Since January 2009, we have tripled the number of diplomats, development experts, and other civilian specialists on the ground in Afghanistan, and we have expanded our presence out in the field nearly six-fold.” She noted, “Economic growth is up. Opium production is down. Under the Taliban, only 900,000 boys, and no girls, were enrolled in schools; by 2010, 7.1 million students were enrolled, and nearly 40 percent of them girls. Hundreds of thousands of farmers have been trained and equipped with new seeds and other techniques. Afghan women have used more than 100,000 microfinance loans. Infant mortality is down 22 percent.” [Testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, 6/23/11]
IRAQ
As Secretary, Hillary Clinton coordinated U.S. efforts in support of the Strategic Framework Agreement with Iraq. In remarks at the U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference, Secretary Clinton said, “We are guided by a blueprint called the Strategic Framework Agreement, which identifies several areas in which the United States and Iraq will collaborate, including good governance, rule of law, environmental protection, science, health, education, and especially economic development and the promotion of trade. Prime Minister Maliki will coordinate his government’s efforts from Baghdad, and here in Washington, I will do the same.” [Remarks at US-Iraq Business and Investment Conference, 10/20/09]
Secretary Clinton was a partner to those on the ground. “‘Hillary Clinton was a very strong supporter of a residual troop presence and effectively backed my and the military’s views…’ says [former U.S. ambassador to Baghdad James] Jeffrey. ‘At times when I felt I was being pushed around … she was a good person to go fix it,’ Jeffrey adds. Obama wound up trying to secure an agreement with the Iraqi government for a modest residual force. But in the end, Jeffrey says, Iraqi politics would not allow for such an agreement on terms acceptable to the U.S., and no troops remained after December 2011.” [Time Magazine, 1/14/14]
IRAN
Clinton “pulled out every stop to get Russia and particularly China” to agree to new U.N. sanctions on Iran. According to the Washington Post, “After several months of grueling diplomacy, the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday imposed a fourth round of sanctions on Iran’s military establishment — a move that the United States and other major powers said should prompt the Islamic Republic to restart stalled political talks over the future of its nuclear program. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the foreign ministers of allied nations asked the European Union’s chief diplomat to pursue talks with Iran at the ‘earliest possible opportunity,’ and President Obama asserted that ‘these sanctions do not close the door on diplomacy.’” The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board wrote, “Give Hillary Clinton credit for hitting a half-court shot at the buzzer. A day after Iran agreed to a nuclear deal with Brazil and Turkey that threatened to derail the U.S. sanctions effort, the Secretary of State announced that China and Russia had agreed to a ‘strong draft’ of a U.N. Security Council resolution. Assuming the vote comes off, that’s a diplomatic victory we didn’t expect—but it’s still only halftime. Mrs. Clinton surely pulled out every stop to get Russia and particularly China—which initially welcomed the Turkish-Brazilian proposal—on board.” [Washington Post, 6/10/10; Editorial, Wall Street Journal, 5/19/10]
Didn’t view diplomacy with Iran as “hopeless.” “Clinton does not share the view that diplomacy with Iran is hopeless, however. She was the first Obama official to suggest that Iran could maintain a domestic uranium enrichment program under an international nuclear deal…‘She was skeptical that diplomacy would work with the Iranians but absolutely convinced that we had to test the possibilities,’ [former Obama administration Middle East policy staffer Dennis] Ross adds.” [Time Magazine, 1/14/14]
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
“Hillary Clinton got a Gaza cease-fire right at the moment hope seemed dead for a rapid end to the violence.” In an article titled, “Hillary Clinton scores Gaza cease fire success,” Politico reported, “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton got a Gaza cease-fire right at the moment hope seemed dead for a rapid end to the violence — and next time, President Barack Obama will probably have to do it without her.” [Politico, 11/21/12]
ASIA PACIFIC
Sec. Gates: When it came to countering China’s influence in Asia, “Secretary Clinton was very much in the lead.” “In its disputes with neighbors, China always prefers to deal with each country individually. They are easier to intimidate that way. Thus the United States looks for opportunities to encourage countries in the region to meet together, including with China, to address these disputes. The Obama administration was particularly active in pursuing this tack, including our own participation wherever possible. Secretary Clinton was very much in the lead. A major step forward in this regard was her planned official visit to Vietnam in July 2010, followed immediately by her participation in the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional forum in Cambodia (where her comments on the South China Sea disputes and the multilateral criticism of China’s aggressive behavior would surprise and anger Beijing).” [Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War, Kindle Location 7566-7569]
Clinton mastered balancing diplomatic challenges and diplomatic collaboration with China. According to an op-ed by Brookings’ Director of Research for Foreign Policy Michael O’Hanlon, “More generally, Clinton had the confidence and stature to stand up to China without going so far as to demonize it.” This balance was especially apparent during the tense negotiations around Chen Guangcheng that the Washington Post called, “one of the most intense and improbable negotiations in the history of U.S.-China relations.” [Michael O’Hanlon op-ed, Brookings, 12/13/13 and Washington Post, 5/19/12]
Pew Global Opinion Poll
When Sec. Clinton left office, the world viewed the United States more favorably than it did just before she took office. A Pew Research poll measuring the favorable opinion of the United States found that the international community’s opinions of the United States were higher when Sec. Clinton left office than it was just before she took office:
o Britain’s view of the U.S. improved from 53% to 58% between 2008 and 2013.
o France’s view of the U.S. improved from 42% to 64% between 2008 and 2013.
o Germany’s view of the U.S. improved from 31% to 53% between 2008 and 2013.
o Russia’s view of the U.S. improved from 46% to 51% between 2008 and 2013.
o Spain’s view of the U.S. improved from 33% in 2008 to 62% in 2013.
o Czech Republic’s view of the U.S. improved from 45% to 58% between 2007 and 2013.
o Italy’s view of the U.S. improved from 53% to 76% between 2007 and 2013.
o Argentina’s view of the U.S. improved from 22% to 41% between 2008 and 2013.
o Australia’s view of the U.S. improved from 46% to 66% between 2008 and 2013.
o Japan’s view of the U.S. improved from 50% to 69% between 2008 and 2013.
o Mexico’s view of the U.S. improved from 47% to 66% between 2008 and 2013.
o South Africa’s view of the U.S. improved from 60% to 72% between 2008 and 2013.
Praise for Clinton’s Leadership
Praise from World Leaders
British Foreign Secretary William Hague: “You enhanced the standing of US diplomacy in the world.” “Secretary Clinton, President Clinton, members of the Diplomatic Corps, my Lords, Ladies and Gentleman; It is a great pleasure to be here to honour the achievements of my outstanding colleague and friend Hillary Clinton. I thank Robin Niblett and Chatham House for their superb choice for this year’s Chatham House Prize; for their immense contribution to foreign policy here in the United Kingdom; and for laying on this spectacular occasion. Hillary, this prize recognises your remarkable contribution as an international stateswoman. Every Foreign Minister surely wishes for their country to be stronger in the world when they leave office than it was when they assumed it. Few can say this – but you certainly can. You enhanced the standing of US diplomacy in the world.” [gov.uk, 10/11/13]
Brazilian Foreign Minister Patriota: “The quality of the dialogue between Brazil and the United States is improving continuously.” “At the same time, I think it’s very important to note that the contacts have been frequent, at high-level, the quality of the dialogue between Brazil and the United States is improving continuously, the agenda’s broadening, as Secretary Clinton was saying.” [Remarks With Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota After Their Meeting, 10/24/12]
ASEAN Secretary General Surin: Sec. Clinton delivered on all of her promises to engage with ASEAN. According to ASEAN Secretary General Surin’s remarks at a meeting with Sec. Clinton, “At that time you promised many things. You promised full engagement with ASEAN [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations], with Southeast Asia. You promised to accede to our Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. You have promised the highest presidential engagement. You have promised to come to attend our post-ministerial (inaudible) conference, ARF. And I am glad to say that you have delivered it all. Thank you very, very much.” [Meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Surin, 9/4/12]
ASEAN Secretary General Surin: Sec. Clinton, “you have turned your counterparts here in Southeast Asia, in ASEAN, into your friends,” which “is extremely important for the region and the region’s diplomacy.” According to ASEAN Secretary General Surin’s remarks at a meeting with Sec. Clinton, “Now, let me just say that most of the diplomats we work with, they are counterparts. And you have turned your counterparts here in Southeast Asia, in ASEAN, into your friends. And friendship is extremely important for the region and for the region’s diplomacy. We count you not as counterpart, but as a true friend. That is why today is very special. And we hope that we will accomplish many more things together into the future with the United States and ASEAN.” [Meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Surin, 9/4/12]
Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen: “We welcome the renewed emphasis on diplomacy and development alongside defense.” “Afghanistan, as the Secretary has said, the Netherlands, and the United States are brothers in arms in the most troubled provinces. And we welcome the renewed emphasis on diplomacy and development alongside defense because according to our view, this is the best way further reduce the threat of extremists who once found a free haven in Afghanistan and who planned attacks on peaceful citizens all over the world.” [Remarks With Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, 4/20/09]
Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin: “I wish to pay tribute to Secretary Clinton’s intensive engagement with the international community.” “I wish to pay tribute to Secretary Clinton’s intensive engagement with the international community over the past few weeks. We look forward to the United States assuming a strong and progressive global leadership role in the years ahead. And already within the European Union community, there is strong anticipation, excited anticipation about the relationship that will develop across the Atlantic between the European Union and indeed the United States.” [Remarks with Irish Foreign Minister, Micheal Martin, 3/16/09]
In Books
Sec. Clinton “consumed herself” with reversing the “damage Bush had done to America’s reputation.” According to HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton, “Hillary consumed herself with the question of how to reverse the damage Bush had done to America’s reputation. ‘There was a lot of question globally about how was the United States using its power and how it was perceived in the world,’ Steinberg said, ‘and I think that strong sense of being able to project a different America and a different America abroad was her paramount objective. I think she recognized because of who she was and her own experience that she was particularly well suited to be the carrier of that message, of a different kind of America, an America that was going to protect its interests but could take into account the concerns and perspectives of others as well.’” [HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton, pg. 75, 2014]
Sec. Clinton’s main objectives at State were to “restore America’s standing in the world” and put “smart power” into America’s foreign policy. According to HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton, “Hillary still didn’t know exactly which jobs she could offer to which candidates, but she had a pretty firm idea of who she wanted at the top, what her agenda would look like, and what strengths she brought to the position. Two main ‘meta’ objectives informed everything she wanted to do at State: restore America’s standing in the world, and infuse the theory of ‘smart power’ into America’s foreign policy. The term, coined by Clinton administration Pentagon official Joseph Nye, is shorthand for an approach to influencing other countries that combines traditional ‘hard power’ such as military force and economic sanctions with the ‘soft power’ of inducing foreign nations to change their behavior by offering carrots such as political or economic assistance.” [HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton, pg. 74, 2014]
Sec. Clinton improved relations with China when she and the president “laid the groundwork for a solid, wide-ranging relationship with their rival.” “For Clinton, the Chen Guangcheng affair and its resolution epitomized what she and Obama had set out to achieve at the start of the administration. They had methodically laid the groundwork for a solid, wide-ranging relationship with their rival, the kind that should be able to sustain the blow of a crisis— and it did. The S& ED [annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue] concluded as planned and Beijing pursued its relationship with Washington almost as before, except for a few expected strident comments.” [The Secretary, by Kim Ghattas, 2013]
Sec. Clinton took all calls, visitors from South Africa to Brazil, Lithuania and Afghanistan, as “repairing America’s standing in the world meant reaching out.” “In her first few months in office, Clinton took all the calls and welcomed all the visitors her schedule could accommodate from South Africa to Brazil, Lithuania and Afghanistan. Part of repairing America’s standing in the world meant reaching out both to leaders she had known for years as well as making new connections, to ensure they knew they had access to her. She was making a very conscious investment for the future, when she would need these leaders. And for days on end, grown men would gush and beam at the cameras as they stood next to the politician turned diplomat.” [The Secretary, by Kim Ghattas, 2013]
The State Department set up “twenty-five formal initiatives that would place the United States at the heart of a web of diplomacy” during Hillary Clinton’s tenure. “From day one, Hillary’s State Department began formalizing connections with countries big and small, starting with Asia, ASEAN, and the TAC. Over the course of Hillary’s tenure, the department would set up twenty-five formal initiatives that would place the United States at the heart of a web of diplomacy and encourage others to feel involved in managing the planet. There were bilateral strategic dialogues with India and South Africa, in addition to the already existing one with China; smaller countries like Indonesia and Nigeria got bilateral commissions. There were global programs of all sorts: entrepreneurship, civil society, maternal health, climate change, counterterrorism efforts. Many initiatives relied on a key partner, from Turkey to Norway, from nongovernmental organizations to businesses—stakeholders in a new system. Every day, the State Department worked to connect with countries, players, and people everywhere.” [The Secretary, by Kim Ghattas, 2013]
Editorials/Opinion
Washington Post: “Clinton did a great deal to cement the United States’ standing as a friend to [Burma’s] democrats.” According to the Washington Post editorial board, “During her brief visit to Burma this week, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton did a great deal to cement the United States’s standing as a friend to the country’s democrats. She met, first and respectfully, with the country’s leaders, who call their country Myanmar and who received her in the surreal capital they only recently constructed – reportedly on an astrologer’s advice – far from any population centers. In those meetings, Ms. Clinton offered modest improvements in the long-frozen relationship between the two countries and promised more if the regime democratizes.” [Editorial, Washington Post, 12/3/11]
Simon: Ambassador of a major ally said Clinton had done a very impressive and important job as secretary of state by improving the image of the United States. According to Politico’s Roger Simon, “True, Clinton was not setting foreign policy. She was carrying out President Obama’s foreign policy. And if she was more cautious than bold, she was most likely being cautious at the president’s insistence. And the ambassador of a major ally to the United States did tell me he thought Clinton had done a very impressive and important job as secretary of state by improving the image of the United States around the world after eight years of decline under Bush.” [Simon, Politico, 3/4/14]
Reddy: “Foreign leaders, particularly in Europe and Asia, see Clinton as experienced, smart, capable and practical.” According to an op-ed in the Buffalo News by Patrick Reddy, a Democratic political consultant in California, “First, and most importantly, most people believe she is doing a good job as Secretary of state. In polls done for CBS News over the past few years, her job approval ratings have ranged from 5-to-1 positive in 2009 to 3-to-1 positive this winter. Foreign leaders, particularly in Europe and Asia, see Clinton as experienced, smart, capable and practical. Her friends have always described her as such and now, apparently, much of the political world also sees her this way. With the president juggling so many complicated issues, Clinton is the person to see on any foreign policy question. It would be hard to think of a single major mistake she has made as Secretary, and avoiding the big error is often the key to being a good executive. Her resume now has the executive and foreign affairs experience that she lacked in 2008. (For a historical comparison: in the early days of the republic, the Secretary of state job was seen as the steppingstone to the presidency. Of our first six presidents, four served as Secretary of state — Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe and John Quincy Adams — not bad company to be in).” [Reddy, Buffalo News, 5/22/11]
O’Hanlon: “The growing perception of imminent U.S. decline, and distraction, was largely countered on Clinton’s watch.” According to a Michael O’Hanlon op-ed for Reuters, “First, give credit to diplomacy. Clinton’s key interventions at various regional forums led the way – for example, by firmly and consistently opposing Chinese bullying of other countries. Beijing, increasingly assertive until the rebalancing, took notice. As did U.S. allies. This approach alone is not a long-term strategy for handling the world’s fastest-growing power. But the growing perception of imminent U.S. decline, and distraction, was largely countered on Clinton’s watch. This has had a generally good effect on countries around the globe that had begun to doubt America’s ability to remain resolute and effective in the 21st century.” [Michael O’Hanlon op-ed, Reuters, 1/14/13]
Rothkopf: Sec. Clinton helped the Administration “change the character of America’s relationships with the world.” According to an op-ed by Foreign Policy’s David Rothkopf, “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has masterfully and tirelessly shouldered much of the burden in this regard, but so too have Vice President Joe Biden, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, and the administration’s two secretaries of defense, Bob Gates and Leon Panetta. Collectively and quietly, they have changed the character of America’s relationships with the world. The warmth Mr. Bush showed for his friends was always undercut by the alienation produced by his us-or-them policy stances. What Mr. Obama has done is not just restored America’s reputation with the tenor of his rhetoric and the substance of his speeches, but he has also turned his seeming aloofness into an American strength.” [David Rothkopf, Foreign Policy, 3/12/12]
Sugarman: Sec. Clinton “promoted U.S. values in a firm but respectful way that restored international faith in the U.S. that eroded during the Bush administration.” According to an op-ed by former Foreign Affairs Officer in the Bureaus of Political Military Affairs and International Security and Nonproliferation Eli Sugarman, “Building on people-to-people diplomacy, Clinton has promoted U.S. values in a firm but respectful way that restored international faith in the U.S. that eroded during the Bush administration. Her outreach to Burma balances unwavering support for human rights with the promise of support to a previously suspicious regime and has opened that country to the world for the first time in decades. Aung San Suu Kyi is now free and her party actively participating in the governance reform effort in Burma. Clinton also rejuvenated U.S. engagement in the Middle East by brokering a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel earlier this year.” [Sugarman op-ed, PolicyMic.com, 1/2/13]
Minxin Pei: “By the time she retired from the Foggy Bottom, Washington had not only made up the ground lost during the past decade, but also had completely regained strategic initiative in East Asia.” According to an op-ed by Minxin Pei for the New York Times, “When she became America’s top diplomat in 2009, the United States was widely seen in the region as being increasingly eclipsed by a rising China. By the time she retired from the Foggy Bottom, Washington had not only made up the ground lost during the past decade, but also had completely regained strategic initiative in East Asia. America’s ties with its key allies have never been better. Washington has also greatly improved relations with the Southeast Asia. Among Clinton’s most singular achievements is the U.S. outreach to Burma, potentially a success story of peaceful regime change.” [Minxin Pei op-ed, New York Times, 5/12/13]
Sec. Clinton “represented the United States well around the world.” According to a Buffalo News editorial, “She not only knows the right thing to do, she also knows how to do it. Her strong run for the Democratic nomination for president came up short against the Barack Obama tide, but she generously agreed to serve in Obama’s cabinet. In four exhausting years as secretary of state, Clinton has represented the United States well around the world.” [Editorial, Buffalo News, 11/13/12]
O’Hanlon: Europeans were still favorable toward Obama “largely due to Clinton.” According to a Michael O’Hanlon op-ed for Reuters, “Obama entered the White House after inspiring huge hopes across the Atlantic. Four years later, Europeans are generally still favorable toward his administration. This is largely due to Clinton. To be sure, it was Obama’s vision of a more multilateral world, restoring classic diplomacy and greater attentiveness to the interests of others, that grabbed Europe’s attention in the first place. His biography, race and rhetorical skills had a lot to do with it. But once he was in office, Europeans wanted results. And these were delivered by Clinton.” [Michael O’Hanlon op-ed, Reuters, 1/14/13]
Hughes: Sec. Clinton was “Washington’s No. 1 diplomatic salesperson.” According to Christian Science Monitor columnist John Hughes, “She’s smart. She speaks her mind. A lot of people love her and think she should be president. Sarah Palin? No, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Secretary of State Clinton, Washington’s No. 1 diplomatic salesperson, is fast becoming the foreign-policy hawk in a Democratic administration, while President Obama seems to be slow moving. Both believe in engagement with foreign adversaries, but Clinton believes in engaging from a position of strength.”[Hughes, Christian Science Monitor, 12/10/09]
Jackson: Clinton had “the authority not only to convey this country’s respect, but also our concerns” to other countries. According to an op-ed by Jesse Jackson in the Chicago Sun-Times, “Clinton is a remarkable emissary for this country in Africa. She is well-known and widely respected. Having traveled there as a first lady, she has been to Africa more than any other secretary of state. She is steeped in the policy and political concerns of the countries she visited. She has the authority not only to convey this country’s respect, but also our concerns. Her focus on the rights and treatment of women is exceptionally important. Africa will not develop unless women are able to gain better education and more independence. Women’s rights are at the center of any solution to the AIDS pandemic. Clinton’s journey to visit the victims of mass rapes — made against the advice of her security detail — and her courage in pushing the issue represents the best of American leadership.” [Jackson, Chicago Sun-Times, 8/18/09]
Star Tribune: Pres. Obama’s “astute choice of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton” helped his administration repair the country’s image abroad. According to the Star Tribune editorial board, “Obama deserves his best marks in foreign policy. Helped by his astute choice of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the administration’s balanced, cooperative approach has repaired the country’s image with its allies. The president ended the war in Iraq and started winding down the one in Afghanistan. He targeted Al-Qaida’s leadership, above all bringing justice to Osama bin Laden.” [Editorial, Star Tribune, 10/29/12]