Topic: John Kerry

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

4 ways Chuck Hagel can improve cyber security

Newly sworn-in Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel must guide the Department of Defense through a few key challenges to better secure the nation’s cyber networks. His focus at the Pentagon should be on these four key areas.
Election 2012: top seven super PACs

Decoder profiles the seven top super PACs, the organizations that have spent the most trying to influence the elections – and still have the most money in the bank.
Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 4 ways they compare on gun control

A spate of gun violence has beset the United States ahead of the November election, raising the perennial question about how effectively America regulates its 300 million-plus guns. Yet neither presidential candidate is likely to hoist his own complicated record as a rallying cry.
Top 3 lessons the US military has learned in Afghanistan

As robust defense budget wranglings continue on Capitol Hill, much of the debate about one of the Pentagon's largest expenses – Afghanistan – centers around just how effective the decade-long fight has been. Here are the top three lessons that US military has learned in Afghanistan.
10 most intriguing fall books, according to Amazon's editors

From J.K. Rowling's latest to a new book by Stephen Colbert, here are Amazon's top picks for the fall.

All Content

Terrorism & Security Has the door shut on a diplomatic solution to Syria's conflict?

Despite European and US resistance to arming the Syrian rebels, the conflict is becoming more militarized. Yesterday regime troops launched a missile at a rebel position.
Focus How US military plans to carry out Obama's 'pivot to Asia'

A US policy shift toward Asia means a greater role for the Navy. Even pre-'pivot to Asia,' it already stationed half its ships in the region, and it is developing a new 'afloat forward staging base' in the Pacific.
Why Republican delay isn't likely to stop Chuck Hagel confirmation (+video)

Republican senators blocked a vote on the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be Defense secretary. But they acknowledged that the situation could be different in a few days.
Iran nuclear talks: Will they veer off course?

Meeting in Washington, Secretary of State John Kerry and EU foreign-policy chief Catherine Ashton underscore their preference for a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear program.
Energy Voices Keystone XL pipeline: Is Canada preparing for a US rejection?

With the Keystone XL pipeline still up for debate in the US, some Canadian leaders are discussing alternatives to getting access to world oil markets, according to OilPrice.com, regardless of what comes of the Keystone XL pipeline.
Keystone XL pipeline action coming in 'near term,' says Kerry

Keystone XL pipeline, a flashpoint in the debate over climate change, will receive a "fair and transparent" review from the US State Department, secretary of State John Kerry said Friday. Kerry said he hopes to make an announcement about the Keystone XL pipeline in the 'near term.'
National Prayer Breakfast: Obama cites quest for humility, hope for goodwill

President Obama, addressing the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday for the fifth time in his tenure, was by turns humorous and personal, emphasizing the need to face vexing problems with humility.
Massachusetts' incredible shrinking Senate race: More Republicans bow out

The most likely GOP contenders are no-shows, but some other Massachusetts Republicans are launching campaigns or testing the waters. Still, Democrats may be hard to beat in this Senate race.
Deborah Hersman for Transportation secretary? She ducks comment.

Deborah Hersman, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, is a top candidate for the cabinet post, reports say. But she wouldn't comment directly at a Monitor breakfast Wednesday.
When diplomatic language isn't just double talk

When a former secretary of State describes the US and China as 'frenemies,' she reminds the Monitor's language columnist that diplomatic lingo isn't all euphemism.
'Big heels to fill': What John Kerry signaled to State Dept. on his first day (+video)

On his first day at State Department, John Kerry introduced himself with humor, passion, a nod to the women who preceded him, and a pledge to focus on the 'security and safety of our people.'
Iran says US offer of direct talks a 'step forward, but...'

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi responded positively to the US offer, but blamed previous negotiation failures on the US.
Politicians and guns: Why it's important that Obama shoots skeet

The White House has released a photo of President Obama firing a shotgun. In the US today, it seems important that politicians – especially men – know their way around guns. Why is that?
Scott Brown won't seek open Senate seat, a blow to Republican hopes (+video)

Republican Scott Brown won't vie for US Senate seat vacated by John Kerry of Massachusetts, he said Friday. His decision increases the likelihood the seat will stay in Democratic hands.
Parting blows: Clinton blasts Russia for inaction in Syria

In her last week as secretary of State, Clinton accused Moscow of being 'unwilling to go forward' in helping to broker a peace deal. The Russian government says she has distorted the picture.
Hillary Clinton departs State: What's her legacy as top US diplomat? (+video)

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton steps down Friday. Her supporters say she has reenergized America’s working relationships with allies and partners, while some critics ask what her defining accomplishments are.
Kerry Senate seat now has contested primary: Stephen Lynch hat in ring

Rep. Stephen Lynch, a former ironworker, announced his campaign to succeed John Kerry in the Senate. He faces Rep. Edward Markey, the apparent front-runner, in a Democratic primary.
Decoder Wire Amid gun control debate, does 'skeet-gate' matter?

Obama's comment about going skeet shooting 'all the time' at Camp David raised eyebrows and sent many reporters on a hunt for evidence. Does the president's personal experience with guns matter to the gun control debate?
Who’ll fill Kerry Senate seat? Question answered, but only for now.

Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick names a former aide, William 'Mo' Cowan, to fill the Kerry seat until a special election in June. Two House Democrats are girding for battle, as is the GOP's Scott Brown.
Energy Voices John Kerry to lead review of Keystone XL pipeline (+video)

John Kerry, confirmed by the US Senate as the next secretary of State, will lead the State Department's review of the Keystone XL pipeline. Environmentalists hope John Kerry will block the project but supporters say that approving the Keystone XL pipeline is in the nation's best interest.
Anti-drug pact latest casualty of souring US-Russia relations

Russian experts say the downturn is a result of Putin's determination to do away with international pacts that he sees as demeaning or forcing Russia into a 'junior partner' role.
Hillary Clinton: 'I don't see myself getting back into politics' (+video)

Hillary Clinton's reins are about to pass to John Kerry, who the Senate has approved as the new secretary of State. What will Hillary Clinton do now?
Senate confirms John Kerry, a foreign-policy buff who has Obama's trust

The Senate voted 94-to-3 to confirm John Kerry as secretary of State. He has Obama's trust and appears in sync with him on policy, but the president may be primarily focused on domestic affairs.
What does the world expect from newly confirmed Secretary of State John Kerry?

From France to Pakistan to China, many have voiced expectations that John Kerry's vast experience and diplomatic skill will be a boon to dealing with international crises and issues.
The Monitor's View: The listening legacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton

The legacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of State may be in her enhancement of the diplomatic art of listening to other peoples – especially women – and not only world leaders. With President Obama honoring her in a "60 Minutes" interview, that legacy needs to be sustained.