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Line 108: − On 1 December 2008 Obama announced the appointment of Hillary Clinton as [[Secretary of State]], succeeding [[Condoleezza Rice]] in January 2009. + − − − ===Chinese debt deal=== − − Clinton's first assignment was to travel to [[China]] and convince them to purchase [[U.S. Treasury]] obligations to finance Obama’s [[stimulus]] package.<ref>AFP (February 22, 2009). [http://www.warandpeace.ru/en/news/view/32887/ "Clinton wraps Asia trip by asking China to buy US debt"]. Reprinted at War and Peace website.</ref> The veto-proof Democratic Congress voted to add $4.5 trillion to the [[national debt]] for "jobs creation" which, by the end of her tenure four years later, added a paltry 1.3 million jobs.<ref>Total Nonfarm Payrolls of All Employees in the United States stood at 133,977,000 in January of 2009; by January of 2013 when Clinton left office the number stood at 135,293,000, an increase of 1,316,000 jobs, or a cost of $3.4 million ''per job''. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.</ref> Clinton told Chinese leaders that the [[Obama administration]] considered [[human rights]] secondary to economic well-being.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/4735087/Hillary-Clinton-Chinese-human-rights-secondary-to-economic-survival.html Hillary Clinton: Chinese human rights secondary to economic survival,] Richard Spencer, ''London Telegraph,'' 20 Feb 2009.</ref> − − ===Foreign Policy=== − Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State was marked by an escalation in U.S. casualties in Afghanistan, a decline in American prestige abroad, an explosion of jihadists recruiting and the [[global jihad]], and a soaring [[national debt]] owed to foreign entities. − ====Libyan War and the Benghazi attack==== − :''See also [[Libyan War]] and [[Benghazi attack]]'' − [[File:Hillary-3.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Upon hearing the news of Gaddafi's murder, Sec. Clinton joked, "We Came, We Saw, He Died."]] − Obama Takes Hard Line With Libya After Shift by Clinton: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton found herself juggling the inconsistencies of American foreign policy in a turbulent Middle East. She criticized the foreign minister of the [[United Arab Emirates]] for sending troops to quash protests in Bahrain even as she pressed him to send planes to intervene in Libya. She was the driving force behind the United States military action in Libya (It is said on March 14 she met in Paris with members of the Libyan [[jihad]]is and [[Bernard Henri Levy]]). Mrs. Clinton was one of a handful of top administration aides who had been arguing for intervention. Within hours, Mrs. Clinton and the aides had convinced Obama that the United States had to act, and the president ordered up military plans, which Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hand-delivered to the White House the next day. On Thursday (March 17), during an hour-and-a-half meeting, Obama signed off on using American pilots to join Europeans and jihadists in military strikes against the Libyan government... The president had a caveat, though. The American involvement in military action in Libya should be limited — no ground troops — and finite. “Days, not weeks,” a senior White House official recalled him saying.<ref name=Cooper>Cooper, Helene and Myers, Steven Lee (March 18, 2011). [http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/world/africa/19policy.html?_r=2&hp "Shift by Clinton helped persuade President to take a harder line"]. ''New York Times'', p. A1, reprinted at ''New York Times'' website.</ref> − − On March 17, in Tunisia, Hillary said: ''"Gaddafi must go," calling him "a ruthless dictator that has no conscience and will destroy anyone or anything in his way." "If Gaddafi does not go, he will just make trouble," she said. "That is just his nature. There are some creatures that are like that."''<ref>Associated Press (March 17, 2011). [http://web.archive.org/web/20131105095520/http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/17/hillary-clinton-in-tunisia-need-plan-for-economic-development/ "Clinton: UN no-fly zone requires bombing Libya"]. AolNews website/World. Retrieved from November 5, 2013 archive at Internet Archive.</ref> − − In joining Ms. Susan Rice and Ms. Samantha Power, Mrs. Clinton made an unusual break with Secretary of Defense [[Robert Gates]], who, along with the national security adviser, Thomas E. Donilon, and the counterterrorism chief, [[John O. Brennan]], had urged caution. Libya was not vital to American national security interests, the men argued, and Mr. Brennan worried that the Libyan rebels remained largely unknown to American officials, and could have ties to Al Qaeda.<ref name=Cooper/> − − Hillary stated: − {{cquote|We are currently doing everything we can to bomb, strafe and use missiles to carry the rebels into power in Libya. We want them to win. We just don’t know who they are.” Hillary Rodham Clinton.<ref>Preston, Bryan (June 23, 2011). [http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2011/06/23/hillary-clinton-to-libya-skeptics-whose-side-are-you-on/ "Hillary Clinton to Libya skeptics: 'Whose side are you on?'"]. PJMedia website/PJTatler.</ref>}} − − The president fully articulated American foreign policy toward Libya as formulated by Hillary Clinton: "Left unchecked... a humanitarian crisis would ensue.... The democratic values that we stand for would be overrun."<ref>Obama, President Barack (March 18, 2011). "Remarks by the President on the situation in Libya". The White House/The Press Office quoted by Congressional Research Service (March 30, 2011). [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fas.org%2Fsgp%2Fcrs%2Fnatsec%2FR41725.pdf&ei=kJkNUeedJ43DiwLCm4H4DQ&usg=AFQjCNHhRCTBkk8zUd7wMWao9DKaab8bww&sig2=8SrhE1X08403SM783aYujg&bvm=bv.41867550,d.cGE ''Operation Odyssey Dawn (Libya): Background and issues for Congress''] (Gertler, Jeremiah, coordinator, Washington D.C.: GPO), p. 3.</ref> Nonetheless, after being captured on October 20, 2011 by forces backed by Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration, Gaddafi was first brutally sodomized, murdered, and his lifeless body paraded through the streets.<ref>Daly, Corbett (October 20, 2011). [http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20123348-503544/clinton-on-qaddafi-we-came-we-saw-he-died/ "Clinton on Qaddafi: 'We came, we saw, he died'"] CBS News website.</ref> − − On September 11, 2012, the anniversary of the [[9/11 terror attacks]], Islamist terrorists attacked the American embassy and killed four people. In testimony before Congress on January the 23th, 2013 Clinton was asked why the [[Obama administration]] deliberately put out false information about the attack just prior to the [[Presidential Election of 2012]], Clinton screamed at Senators, "WHAT DIFFERENCE AT THIS POINT DOES IT MAKE?".<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/23/senator-calls-for-top-to-bottom-review-state-department-ahead-clinton-testimony/ "Clinton set for long-awaited Libya testimony, as senator urges 'top-to-bottom review'"] (January 23, 2013). Fox News website/Politics/Senate.</ref> − − ====Mali & Algeria==== − Hillary Clinton further testified in the wake of the Benghazi murders that occurred under her stewardship, that weapons and fighters equipped by the Obama administration made their way into [[Mali]] and [[Algeria]]: − {{cquote|There is no doubt that the Algerian terrorists had weapons from Libya. There is no doubt that the Malian remnants of AQIM ([[Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb]]) have weapons from Libya.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/clinton-says-militants-used-weapons-libya-algeria-attack-154222664.html "Clinton says militants used weapons from Libya in Algeria attack"] (January 23, 2013). Reuters website/World/U.S./Washington.</ref>}} − Two more Americans were killed, along with 35 others, after being taken hostage by rebel jihadists in Mali shortly after the Libyan upheaval.<ref>Associated Press (January 21, 2013). [http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2013/jan/21/algeria-37-foreigner-hostages-killed-in-attack/ "Algeria: 37 foreigner hostages killed in attack"]. ''San Diego Union-Tribune'' website/News.</ref> − − President [[Vladimir Putin]] of Russia observed, "Upheaval in Libya, accompanied by the uncontrolled proliferation of arms, contributed to the deterioration of the situation in Mali. Terrorist attacks in Algeria that took away the lives of innocent people—including those from foreign countries—became the consequences of such tragic developments."<ref>[http://rt.com/news/putin-libya-mali-algeria-704/ "Putin links Algeria attack, Mali unrest to Libyan upheaval"] (January 25, 2013). Russia Today website/News.</ref> − − ====Boko Haram==== − Hilary Clinton and the State Department refused to place [[Boko Haram]] on the list of foreign terrorist organizations in 2011, after the group bombed the UN headquarters in Abuja. The refusal came despite the urging of the Justice Department, the FBI, the CIA, and over a dozen Senators and Congressmen.<ref>Morrissey, Ed (May 8, 2014). [http://hotair.com/archives/2014/05/08/did-hillary-refuse-to-designate-boko-haram-as-a-terrorist-organization/ "Did Hillary refuse to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organization?"] Hot Air website.</ref> − − In 2014 Boko Haram kidnapped 276 Black African Christian girls and has sold them into slavery, reports indicate. − − ====Middle East==== − In November 2009 before George Mitchell's awkward removal as Middle East emissary, Clinton finally took a foreign policy initiative in the highly sensitive Palestine-Israeli peace process. However, she offended the Palestinians by praising Israel for offering to curb its settlement-building program in the [[West Bank]]. <ref>Associated Press (November 1, 2009). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/01/palestinians-accuse-clinton-undermining-peace-talks-shift-settlements/ "Palestinians accuse Clinton of undermining peace talks with shift on settlements"]. Fox News website/Politics/Executive.</ref> The Palestinians accused her of undermining progress toward Mideast peace talks (the Palestinians want to see all settlements dismantled). To try and make amends and smooth over Palestinians, she issued a new statement saying the US wants [[Israel]] settlement halt forever, “We do not accept the legitimacy of settlement activity and we have a very firm belief that ending all settlement activity, current and future, would be preferable.” <ref>JTA (November 4, 2009). [http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/in_cairo_clinton_clarifies_settlement_position_20091104/ "In Cairo, Clinton clarifies settlement position"]. Jewish Journal website/News/Israel.</ref> − − Once again, Clinton's failure as Secretary of State came into question as [[John Kerry]] planned a visit to [[Iran]], which Iran rejected. <ref>Solomon, Jay (December 24, 2009). [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126161465189603571.html?mod=WSJ_newsreel_us "Kerry floats plan to visit Tehran"], ''The Wall Street Journal'' website/U.S./Politics.</ref> Kerry was named as the replacement of Hillary Clinton after President Obama's embarrassing failure to garner support for Amb. Susan Rice's nomination.<ref>"Kerry plays key role for the President" (October 22, 2009). ''Philadelphia Inquirer''/World/U.S. [http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20091022_Kerry_plays_key_role_for_the_president.html dead link].</ref> − − ====China and Tibet==== − The [[Dalai Lama]] was made [[Tibet]]an head of state in 1950, the same year that China invaded and occupied Tibet.<ref name=DalaiLama>FlorCruz, Jaime, CNN Beijing Bureau Chief (February 18, 2010). [http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/18/analysis.china.dalai.lama/index.html "Analysis: Why the Dalai Lama angers China"]. Cable News Network website/World/Asia Pacific.</ref> [[CNN]] reports the Chinese find it "unacceptable when they see the Dalai Lama treated as a VIP, or even akin to a head of state."<ref name=DalaiLama/> − − After the Dalai Lama met with President Obama in February, 2010 he was unceremoniously escorted through a side door that trash is regularly carried out to a photo op with awaiting cameras. − − ====Japan, North Korea and Burma==== − In [[Japan]], she met publicly with Yukio Hatoyama, the former opposition leader, who won a landslide election in Sept, 2009. The question was over whether the new government would continue to follow American foreign policy regarding economic affairs, [[North Korea]]'s development of [[nuclear weapons]],<ref>Johnson, Ben (January 3, 2003). [http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=20448 "Appeasing North Korea: The Clinton legacy"]. FrontPageMag website.</ref> and the issue of 47,000 troops American troops stationed there. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in his election campaign vowed to review a 2006 agreement to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Base from an urban to a coastal part of the southern island of Okinawa. The base has angered residents because of aircraft noise and friction with U.S. servicemen; while in opposition, Hatoyama suggested it could be moved off the island altogether, a move the United States under Bush strongly opposed. − − In July 2009, Bill Clinton travelled to [[North Korea]] to attempt to negotiate for the release of Americans held hostage. She was asked by a Congolese university student what her husband thought of international relations. She responded annoyed, "My husband is not Secretary of State, I am," and "I am not going to be channeling my husband." Diplomats laughed when Clinton took umbrage at a Congolese questioner whom she took to be asking her husband's opinion, but it later surfaced that the question had been mistranslated. − − In addition, a U.S. senator flew to Burma to bargain for the release of yet another American. Also, envoys of the reclusive North Korean regime have come to the U.S. for a meeting privately with New Mexico Gov. [[Bill Richardson]]. All this had America wondering if Hillary has been marginalized in her Obama Administration role. − − ====Africa==== − Clinton went to Africa to demonstrate the administration is giving Africa a higher priority than usual. Clinton has long been outspoken on causes like development, health, poverty, and gender violence. Her first stop was [[Kenya]], where the U.S. policy is to stabilize the political situation which has been on the brink of civil war. Also important is economic development, with a continent-wide economic conference. Under Bill Clinton the "African Growth and Opportunity Act" expanded the number of tariff-free goods sub-Saharan countries could export to the United States. Kenya is an economic engine in eastern Africa, and needs encouragement to seek economic growth and leadership rather than risk an ethnic civil war. − − [[South Africa]] is the superpower on the continent, but relations were strained with the U.S. under the country's erratic former president, Thabo Mbeki. He for example, fought against American effort to stamp out AIDS, suggesting the disease was a Western conspiracy. The new president, Jacob Zuma, is an unknown quantity. South Africa is in its first recession in more than a decade. With riots on the streets over his failure to deliver on promises to the country's poor, Zuma may hope to capitalize on improved relations with the United States. That bodes well for Clinton. One of the biggest splits was over Zimbabwe, where Bush wanted Mbeki to take a more pro-active role, while Mbeki wanted the United States to stay out of his tyranny. − [[Angola]] is now the top oil exporter in Africa, with the usual corrupt pattern of concentrated oil wealth, wobbly, and a 48% unemployment rate. American oil companies are active and the U.S. is providing business and military support. American support for Angola causes resentment in the rest of Africa, where critics attack the American friendship with President José Eduardo Dos Santos, who has held power for more than 30 years. President Bush's oft-stated concern for human rights and democracy in Angola was seen by African nationalists as little more than a pretence. − <blockquote> − Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, embarked on an official African trip that took her to Zambia, Tanzania and Ethiopia. − In a press conference in Lusaka, Clinton is reported to have warned her host continent about ‘new colonialism' in Africa from external actors and investors interested only in extracting Africa's natural resources... Clinton did not mention [[China]] by name, but as her officials later confirmed to reporters, she wanted to stress that African countries should beware of the Chinese and hold their investors to high standards.<ref>Odoom, Isaac (June 25, 2011). [http://www.herald.co.zw/interpreting-clintons-new-colonialism/ "Interpreting Clinton's 'new colonialism'"]. The Herald [Zimbabwe] website.</ref> − </blockquote> − − ====South America==== − Hillary's trip to [[Argentina]] became controversial as she meddled into a touchy subject by attempting to force [[Britain]] to accept talks on the future of the [[Falkland Islands]]. This action will undoubtedly strain relationships between the U.S., the U.K. and Argentina. Residents of the Falklands were outraged. <ref>Whittell, Giles et al. (March 3, 2010). [http://web.archive.org/web/20110510010956/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7047309.ece "Argentina coup as Hillary Clinton calls for Falklands talks"]. ''The Times'' [U.K.] website. First of two pages retrieved from October 10, 2011 archive at Internet Archive.</ref>
→Secretary of State
==Secretary of State==
==Secretary of State==
:''Main article [[Hillary Clinton Secretary of State]]
Hillary Clinton's job as [[Obama]]'s [[Secretary of State]] was the subject of a Congressional investigation after it had become evident that the deaths of four Americans during the Islamic terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in [[Benghazi]] were caused by incompetence and malfeasance.<ref>Page, Susan (May 10, 2013). [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/05/09/senator-lindsey-graham-hillary-clinton-testify-benghazi-subpoena/2147869/ "Sen. Graham: Hillary Clinton should testify on Benghazi"]. ''USA Today'' website.</ref>
Hillary Clinton's job as [[Obama]]'s [[Secretary of State]] was the subject of a Congressional investigation after it had become evident that the deaths of four Americans during the Islamic terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in [[Benghazi]] were caused by incompetence and malfeasance.<ref>Page, Susan (May 10, 2013). [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/05/09/senator-lindsey-graham-hillary-clinton-testify-benghazi-subpoena/2147869/ "Sen. Graham: Hillary Clinton should testify on Benghazi"]. ''USA Today'' website.</ref>
==2016 Presidential campaign==
==2016 Presidential campaign==