Powell the Statesman

Secretary of State Colin Powell recently announced he would not serve in a second Bush term. He is a man who has served his country well and is widely respected for it. History will record him well I think. Much emphasis in the mainstream media has been placed on his reported differences with the administration. It may be true he had a different opinion than other officials on the approach to be taken, but he still served and supported the President. One thing, I think Secretary Powell should be more often recognized for is his useful crisis management between India and Pakistan. In 2002, the two countries became dangerously close to conflict. Perhaps because of his efforts, a nuclear war was averted and unimaginable consequences, were left unrealized.