When Hillary Clinton became Secretary of State, she pledged a "smart power" policy that meant striking

up a close working relationship with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates while reshaping the State

Department to emphasize development and people-powered diplomacy. She deployed her personal star

power in direct contacts with the public overseas, speaking clearly about human rights and freedom of

expression on the Internet.

She's been tough too. When China was overassertive about the South China Sea last year, she rallied

other nations; when Libya's Muammar Gaddafi threatened to massacre civilians in Benghazi, she was

key in building support in the U.N. for the multilateral military action that is helping to protect those

civilians. She has strengthened American alliances in Europe and Asia while also engaging the emerging

powers of China, India and Brazil.

But above all, Hillary, 63, has set a model of how to be a member of a team of rivals. Unlike in many

Administrations that have suffered from friction between State, Defense and the White House, Barack

Obama's strongest rival in 2008 has become one of the most effective and loyal supporters in an

Administration that has been notably cohesive on foreign policy.