Who’ll be next after Hillary Clinton?

As you all probably know, Secretary Clinton recently answered, “No, I really can’t,” when asked by PBS’s Tavis Smiley Reports whether she’ll serve a second term as U.S. secretary of state. In life after being America’s top diplomat, Clinton said she’d like to read, write, and maybe even teach. Of course, she said she’ll always ...

573837_100202_Clinton100128962335902602.jpg
573837_100202_Clinton100128962335902602.jpg

As you all probably know, Secretary Clinton recently answered, "No, I really can't," when asked by PBS's Tavis Smiley Reports whether she'll serve a second term as U.S. secretary of state. In life after being America's top diplomat, Clinton said she'd like to read, write, and maybe even teach. Of course, she said she'll always remain a steadfast advocate for women and girls.

As you all probably know, Secretary Clinton recently answered, “No, I really can’t,” when asked by PBS’s Tavis Smiley Reports whether she’ll serve a second term as U.S. secretary of state. In life after being America’s top diplomat, Clinton said she’d like to read, write, and maybe even teach. Of course, she said she’ll always remain a steadfast advocate for women and girls.

So, if Clinton won’t be secretary of state from 2013 through 2016, and if Obama is re-elected for a second term, then who’ll be the next secretary of state? Well, FP‘s The Cable compiled a shortlist that includes:

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.)

James Steinberg, U.S. deputy secretary of state

Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

Richard Holbrooke, special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan (and a former managing editor of FP!)

George Mitchell, special envoy for Middle East peace

Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Republican senator, now chairman of the Atlantic Council

Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command

Photo: SHAUN CURRY/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

More from Foreign Policy

A photo illustration shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden posing on pedestals atop the bipolar world order, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladamir Putin standing below on a gridded floor.
A photo illustration shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden posing on pedestals atop the bipolar world order, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladamir Putin standing below on a gridded floor.

No, the World Is Not Multipolar

The idea of emerging power centers is popular but wrong—and could lead to serious policy mistakes.

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.

The Chinese flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics at Beijing National Stadium on Feb. 4, 2022.
The Chinese flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics at Beijing National Stadium on Feb. 4, 2022.

America Can’t Stop China’s Rise

And it should stop trying.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on prior a meeting with European Union leaders in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on prior a meeting with European Union leaders in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022.

The Morality of Ukraine’s War Is Very Murky

The ethical calculations are less clear than you might think.