What You Need to Know: 01.13.09

Clinton vows 'smart power' as top diplomat
"Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton vowed Tuesday to renew U.S. leadership through a "smart power" mix of diplomacy and defense.

Addressing her Senate confirmation hearing, Clinton also promised to push for stronger U.S. alliances around the globe.

"We must build a world with more partners and fewer adversaries," said the woman that President-elect Barack Obama took for his administration's leading diplomatic job."

Burris to Take Seat in Senate As Credentials Standoff Ends
"The Senate will swear in Roland W. Burris as the junior senator from Illinois this week, ending a standoff that had become an embarrassment for Democratic leaders and President-elect Barack Obama.

"The Secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat," read a joint statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and Democratic Whip Richard J. Durbin (Ill.)."

Obama preparing order to close Gitmo
"President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to issue an executive order his first week in office — and perhaps his first day — to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, according to two presidential transition team advisers.

It's unlikely the detention facility at the Navy base in Cuba will be closed anytime soon. In an interview last weekend, Obama said it would be "a challenge" to close it even within the first 100 days of his administration."