He's been secretary of state for less than a month, but if John Kerry wants to have any hope of beating Hillary Clinton's travel record, it's best to get started early.
Kerry's first trip outside the United States as secretary is a nine-country tour that has included visits to Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Turkey so far, with planned stops in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The tour got off to something of a shaky start, with Syrian opposition leaders threatening to boycott a proposed meeting with Kerry in Italy, in protest over what they saw as fainthearted support from Washington. But they eventually reconsidered, and in a Feb. 28 meeting in Rome, Kerry pledged $60 million in aid for food, educational services and medical support. Kerry was received warmly in his other early stops: Der Spiegel called him "Europe's Last Fan in Washington," and France 24 referred to him as "'Monsieur' John Kerry" in its look at Kerry's long relationship with Paris.
One of the biggest challenges of his trip is likely still to come -- in Egypt, where Kerry will meet seek to "encourage greater political consensus and moving forward on economic reforms." But for now: five countries down, Mr. Secretary, and 107 to go.
Above, Kerry boards a U.S. Air Force Boeing 757 on Feb. 24 for the first flight of his inaugural trip.
Kerry stands in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Feb. 26 along with U.S. Ambassador to Germany Philip Murphy and Walter Hassmann, deputy chief of protocol for the German foreign ministry in Berlin.
Kerry takes a photo of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Feb. 25.
Kerry talks on his phone while sitting in a limousine just after landing in Berlin on Feb. 25.
Kerry chats with the traveling press corps on Feb. 24 aboard a U.S. Air Force Boeing 757 on its way to London.
Kerry, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, and British Foreign Secretary William Hague inspect World War II bomb damage to the House of Commons in London on Feb. 25.
Kerry shakes hands with British Prime Minister David Cameron at the end of a meeting at 10 Downing Street in Central London on Feb. 25.
Kerry chats with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Feb. 26.
Kerry shakes hands with French President François Hollande outside the Élysée Palace in Paris on Feb. 27.
Kerry laughs with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the beginning of their meeting in Berlin on Feb. 26 .
Kerry smiles for the camera with young delegates at the Youth Connect forum in Berlin on Feb. 26.
Kerry tours the British House of Commons on Feb. 25.
Kerry visits with a staff member at the U.S. embassy in London on Feb. 25.
Kerry shakes hands with a police officer assigned to his security detail in Paris on Feb. 27.
Kerry poses for a photograph on Feb. 26 with some of the police officers who protected him in Berlin.
Kerry walks alongside U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Rivkin in Paris on Feb. 27.
