Hillary shows her hand, and her heart
California Sen. Barbara Boxer led off her line of questioning with what was arguably one of the most interesting parts of the hearing so far — a question about how Hillary Clinton would translate her long-standing commitment to international women’s issues to substantive action at the State Department. Boxer cited one of Nicholas Kristof‘s recent ...
California Sen. Barbara Boxer led off her line of questioning with what was arguably one of the most interesting parts of the hearing so far -- a question about how Hillary Clinton would translate her long-standing commitment to international women's issues to substantive action at the State Department. Boxer cited one of Nicholas Kristof's recent columns about sex trafficking in Cambodia (which I'm sure you've read already!) and the apparent increase in acid attacks on women in South Asia, among other problems.
Although much of Hillary Clinton's testimony, and even her answers, have been vetted by the Obama administration -- which doesn't necessarily make for particularly heartfelt speech -- this answer was the first time that she was really speaking from the heart. She, too, is a fan of Kristof's columns and his work in the developing world, and she thinks that there is much that she as the secretary of state and that the Department of State can do to make the world better for people who, as Boxer said, "were born female." Her commitment to and interest in international women's rights isn't just a talking point; it's obviously something about which she feels strongly and on which she clearly plans to work with a great deal of focus and vigor.
Alex Wong/Getty Images News
Although much of Hillary Clinton’s testimony, and even her answers, have been vetted by the Obama administration — which doesn’t necessarily make for particularly heartfelt speech — this answer was the first time that she was really speaking from the heart. She, too, is a fan of Kristof’s columns and his work in the developing world, and she thinks that there is much that she as the secretary of state and that the Department of State can do to make the world better for people who, as Boxer said, “were born female.” Her commitment to and interest in international women’s rights isn’t just a talking point; it’s obviously something about which she feels strongly and on which she clearly plans to work with a great deal of focus and vigor.
Alex Wong/Getty Images News
More from Foreign Policy


Lessons for the Next War
Twelve experts weigh in on how to prevent, deter, and—if necessary—fight the next conflict.


It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse
Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.


Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.


Congrats, You’re a Member of Congress. Now Listen Up.
Some brief foreign-policy advice for the newest members of the U.S. legislature.