Date: 01/22/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: President Obama and Secretary Clinton announce Special Envoys for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Middle East. © AP Photo
Secretary Clinton Names Special Envoys to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Middle East
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 22): "Today, we start the hard work to restore our standing and enable our country to meet the vexing new challenges of the 21st century, but also to seize the opportunities that await us. The President is committed to making diplomacy and development the partners in our foreign policy along with defense, and we must be smarter about how we exercise our power." -Full Text  -Video
Date: 01/22/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: Secretary Clinton addressed U.S. Department of State staff during an event welcoming her on her first day. State Dept Photo
Secretary Clinton Delivers Welcome Address at U.S. Department of State
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 22): "President Obama set the tone with his inaugural address. And the work of the Obama-Biden Administration is committed to advancing America's national security, furthering America's interests, and respecting and exemplifying America's values around the world." -Full Text  -Video
Date: 01/13/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: Secretary Clinton offers testimony before congressional hearings. © AP Photo
Secretary Clinton Calls for Use of Smart Power
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 13): "The President-Elect and I believe that foreign policy must be based on a marriage of principles and pragmatism, not rigid ideology; on facts and evidence, not emotion or prejudice. ...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." -Full Text  -Video

In Other News

Date: 01/20/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: Barack Obama, left, joined by his wife Michelle, takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts to become the 44th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. © AP Photo
U.S. Inaugurates 44th President
Acting Spokesman Wood (Jan. 20): "Today the U.S. inaugurates its 44th President. This inauguration marks an exciting and historic moment..." -More
Date: 01/21/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: Secretary Clinton was sworn-in as U.S. Secretary of State. State Dept Photo
Clinton Confirmed, Sworn-In as U.S. Secretary of State
The United States Senate confirmed and swore-in Hillary Rodham Clinton as the 67th U.S. Secretary of State. Read the testimony at her nomination hearings.
Date: 12/17/2008 Description: Department of State Great Seal, multicolor. State Dept Photo
About the Secretary of State
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President's chief foreign affairs adviser.  -More 
Date: 08/23/2008 Location: Cloppenburg, Germany Description: Wind turbines rotating in front of a colored cloudy sky. © AP Photo
Sustainable Development Partnerships
The U.S. Sustainable Development Partnerships (SDP) help countries create and implement their own development strategies from poverty reduction to conservation. -More
Date: 10/30/2008 Location: Zambia Description: Zambian woman casts her vote at a school in Lusaka. © AP Photo
Human Rights Reports To Be Released
Internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. -More
Date: 10/06/2006 Location: Egypt Description: Adult education classes for women. USAID-funded educational programs have assisted in educating girls and women.  USAID Photo
U.S. Agency for International Development
USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries to provide a better future for all. -More
Date: 11/06/2008 Description: Doors to Diplomacy website contest. State Dept Photo
Doors to Diplomacy Contest
The 2009 "Doors to Diplomacy" award competition recognizes student-created Global SchoolNet Web projects that teach others about the importance of international affairs. -More
Green and blue APP logo, comprised of globe surrounded by words reading Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate
Asia-Pacific Partnership
The Asia-Pacific Partnership (APP) on Clean Development and Climate aims to increase development and deployment of clean energy technologies. It is a key component of U.S. efforts to combat climate change, promote energy security, and foster global economic growth and cooperation. -More

Foreign Policy Highlights


Online Video Contest
Enter your 3-minute video on "My Culture + Your Culture." Deadline: January 26. 
Ask The Ambassador
This online forum lets you interact with U.S. Ambassadors around the world. When a chat is announced, questions submitted online will be answered by State Department officials and posted to the website so that others many benefit from the discussion. Check this space for upcoming chats.


Democracy Video Challenge
Create a video short that completes the phrase "Democracy is." Deadline: January 31. 
Policy Podcast
State Department officials discuss upcoming events and foreign policy issues. See the video collection and check this space for upcoming Podcasts.



Traveling?

Date: 04/11/2006 Location: San Carlos, Costa Rica Description: Swimming in river near San Carlos, Costa Rica. � AP PhotoCosta Rica
One-fourth of Costa Rica's land is dedicated to national forests, often adjoining picturesque beaches, which has made the country a popular destination for affluent retirees and eco-tourists despite increasing crime. Costa Rica used to be known principally as a producer of bananas and coffee, but pineapples have surpassed coffee as the number two agricultural export.
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Date: 02/02/2001 Location: Fujiyoshida, Japan,  Description: Mount Fuji in Japan
Japan
Japan, a country of islands, extends along the eastern or Pacific coast of Asia. About 73% of the country is mountainous, with a chain running through each of the main islands. Japan's highest mountain is the world famous Mt. Fuji (12,385 feet). Since so little flat area exists, many hills and mountainsides are cultivated all the way to the summits.
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Date: 12/19/2008 Location: Northern Ireland, U.K. Description: Shoppers at the continental market at Belfast City Hall during the festive season in Belfast City Center, Northern Ireland. � AP PhotoNorthern Ireland
By the mid-1990s, gestures toward peace encouraged by successive British governments and by then-President Clinton began to open the door for restored local government in Northern Ireland. Key elements of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 include devolved government, a commitment of the parties to work toward "total disarmament of all paramilitary organizations," police reform, and enhanced mechanisms to guarantee human rights and equal opportunity.  Full Text 

Date: 05/07/2004 Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Description: Vacationing Saudi Arabians are silhouetted at a public beach in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia near the Jeddah fountain, a landmark in the city.  � AP PhotoSaudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's current development plan focuses on economic diversification in addition to education and inclusion of women in society. The plan calls for establishing new universities and new colleges with technical specializations. Privatization as well as emphases on a knowledge-based economy and tourism will help in the goal of economic diversification.
 
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Date: 05/18/2006 Location: Pisa, Italy. Description: Cyclist in front of the Tower of Pisa. � AP PhotoItaly
Europe's Renaissance period began in Italy during the 14th and 15th centuries. Literary achievements--such as the poetry of Petrarch, Tasso, and Ariosto and the prose of Boccaccio, Machiavelli, and Castiglione--exerted a tremendous and lasting influence on the subsequent development of Western civilization, as did the painting, sculpture, and architecture contributed by giants such as da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, and Michelangelo. 
 
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