Madam Secretary

Hillary stands behind Obama (in the literal sense)

Here’s a photo of Secretary Clinton standing behind President Obama at this morning’s announcement about Afghanistan and Pakistan. What do you think Hillary’s thinking? Hillary Clinton stands behind Obama, March 27, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about Afghanistan and Pakistan as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates look on ...

By
587382_090327_HIllaryBehindObama2.jpg
587382_090327_HIllaryBehindObama2.jpg

Here's a photo of Secretary Clinton standing behind President Obama at this morning's announcement about Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Here’s a photo of Secretary Clinton standing behind President Obama at this morning’s announcement about Afghanistan and Pakistan.

What do you think Hillary’s thinking?

Hillary Clinton stands behind Obama, March 27, 2009

Hillary Clinton stands behind Obama, March 27, 2009

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about Afghanistan and Pakistan as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates look on behind him in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on March 27 in Washington. Obama announced a new strategy consisting of increasing troops in Afghanistan while boosting aid in Pakistan with the hopes of weakening al Qaeda.

Here’s a close-up photo:

Hillary Clinton with James Jones, March 27, 2009

Hillary Clinton with James Jones, March 27, 2009

Clinton and National Security Advisor Gen. James Jones listen to Obama make a statement on Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington on March 27.

Photos, top to bottom: Mark Wilson/Getty Images, NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Preeti Aroon was copy chief at Foreign Policy from 2009 to 2016 and was an FP assistant editor from 2007 to 2009. Twitter: @pjaroonFP
Tags: Afghanistan, Pakistan

latest

Why Did Trudeau Dawdle on Chinese Election Meddling?

Who’s Afraid of Europe’s Big, Bad Wolves?

U.S., Ukraine Sign Joint Weapons Production Deal

How Division and Disorder Led to Devastation in Libya

Why Interest Rate Hikes Don’t Necessarily Tame Inflation
See All Stories

Editors’ Picks

  1. 1
    The Morality of Ukraine’s War Is Very Murky
  2. 2
    Why Did Trudeau Dawdle on Chinese Election Meddling?
  3. 3
    Rift With Canada Puts Spotlight on India’s Security Services
  4. 4
    No, the World Is Not Multipolar
  5. 5
    America Can’t Stop China’s Rise

More from Foreign Policy

An illustration shows the Statue of Liberty holding a torch with other hands alongside hers as she lifts the flame, also resembling laurel, into place on the edge of the United Nations laurel logo.
An illustration shows the Statue of Liberty holding a torch with other hands alongside hers as she lifts the flame, also resembling laurel, into place on the edge of the United Nations laurel logo.

A New Multilateralism

How the United States can rejuvenate the global institutions it created.

A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.
A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.

America Prepares for a Pacific War With China It Doesn’t Want

Embedded with U.S. forces in the Pacific, I saw the dilemmas of deterrence firsthand.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, seen in a suit and tie and in profile, walks outside the venue at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Behind him is a sculptural tree in a larger planter that appears to be leaning away from him.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, seen in a suit and tie and in profile, walks outside the venue at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Behind him is a sculptural tree in a larger planter that appears to be leaning away from him.

The Endless Frustration of Chinese Diplomacy

Beijing’s representatives are always scared they could be the next to vanish.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on June 22, 2022.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on June 22, 2022.

The End of America’s Middle East

The region’s four major countries have all forfeited Washington’s trust.

Trending

  1. The Morality of Ukraine’s War Is Very Murky
    Argument
    Stephen M. Walt

  2. Why Did Trudeau Dawdle on Chinese Election Meddling?
    Report
    Justin Ling

  3. Rift With Canada Puts Spotlight on India’s Security Services
    Analysis
    Sushant Singh

  4. No, the World Is Not Multipolar
    Essay
    Jo Inge Bekkevold

  5. Chinese Spies Are Targeting Access, Not Race
    Argument
    Horatio Smith