In Major Foreign Policy Address, Secretary Clinton Warns Adversaries

It’s a testimony to the media’s sexism that on the day of a major foreign policy speech by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, no online news source can be found that has announced what time she will be speaking.

Politico’s Mike Allen has so far provided the most unjaundiced coverage of her prepared remarks. Allen reports:

In a muscular first major address as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton warns adversaries on Wednesday that they "should never see America’s willingness to talk as a sign of weakness to be exploited."

"We will remain clear-eyed about our purpose," she says in remarks prepared for delivery at the Council on Foreign Relations. "Not everybody in the world wishes us well or sharesour values and interests. Some will seek to undermine our efforts. In those cases, our partnerships will help constrain or deter their actions.

"And to these foes and would-be foes, let me say: You should know that our focus on diplomacy and development is not an alternative to our national security arsenal. You should never see America’s willingness to talk as a sign of weakness to be exploited. We will not hesitate to defend our friends and ourselves vigorously when necessary with the world’s strongest military. This is not an option we seek. Nor is it a threat; it is a promise to the American people."

Laying out the Obama administration's approach to foreign policy, she identifies nonproliferation as a key administration priority.

"We have the right strategy, the right priorities, the right policies. We have the right president," she says in her text. "And we have the American people, diverse, committed, involved and open to the future."

The speech shows how events of Obama's first six months as president have affected administration views and efforts, from Iran to Honduras.

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