Clinton Sets Out New Direction for U.S. Foreign Policy
By Adam Graham-Silverman, CQ Staff
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In her opening statement before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Clinton touched on virtually every foreign policy challenge confronting the administration of President-elect Barack Obama — what Sen. Bob Corker , R-Tenn., called “a travelogue of opportunity”—from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to tensions with Russia and China, conflict in the Middle East, climate change and global disease.
Clinton made a broad endorsement of diplomacy and multilateral efforts across the board, and pointed to North Korea, Iran, the Middle East and the Balkan states as evidence of the need for what she called “tough minded, intelligent diplomacy.”
“The president-elect and I believe that foreign policy must be based on a marriage of principles and pragmatism, not rigid ideology,” she said. “On facts and evidence, not emotion or prejudice. Our security, our vitality, and our ability to lead in today’s world oblige us to recognize the overwhelming fact of our interdependence.”
She promised that “if I am confirmed, the State Department will be firing on all cylinders to provide forward-thinking, sustained diplomacy in every part of the world.”
As a corollary, Clinton emphasized the need for a boost in funding and personnel for diplomacy and development.
“If we don’t enhance our diplomatic efforts and move toward more equilibrium {with the military} we will not be as successful as we need to be in promoting our foreign policy,” she said in response to a question from Corker. She noted that Jacob Lew has been nominated as a second deputy secretary of State to focus expressly on management and resource issues.
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http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003009111
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