Rice’s Highs and Lows

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 | 2:14 a.m.

A look at some of Condoleezza Rice's accomplishments and disappointments as secretary of state:

LOW - Rice's January 2005 Senate confirmation hearings turn unexpectedly testy and her confirmation is held up by Democrats. The tally, though one-sided at 85-13, was still the largest "no" vote against any secretary of state nominee since 1825.

HIGH - In February 2005, Rice is warmly received by French and German leaders on her first trip abroad as secretary, a fence-mending session with European allies unhappy with the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

HIGH - Rice presides over a potentially historic initial nuclear bargain with North Korea in September 2005. The deal went dormant and nearly fell apart but was revived last year - after the North exploded a nuclear device.

HIGH - Rice directly negotiates a November 2005 agreement to allow greater movement of goods and people into the impoverished Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip. The accomplishment was short-lived, however. The agreement never took full effect and Gaza later came under the full control of Hamas militants.

LOW - Rice appears taken aback by the victory of Hamas militants in Palestinian parliamentary elections in January 2006, but says the Bush administration remains committed to democracy and elections in the Mideast.

HIGH - In May 2006, Rice makes a bold offer of face-to-face talks with adversary Iran, but Iran later rejects the terms.

LOW - Israel goes to war with Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon in July 2006, a setback for Rice's diplomacy in the Mideast, including the fragile new U.S.-backed democratic government in Lebanon. Rice appears exhausted and harried during a trip meant to lower tensions and hold off international demands for a U.S.-brokered cease-fire.

LOW - North Korea tests a nuclear device in October 2006, proving it has nuclear weapons material and know-how and increasing the pressure on Rice and other diplomats to bargain with the Stalinist regime.

HIGH - Rice draws Israeli and Palestinian leaders back into regular contact in early 2007, despite the continued challenge posed by Hamas.

LOW - Hamas routs rival moderate Palestinian forces in Gaza in June 2007 and assumes control of the territory. This splits the Palestinian government and removes a third of the Palestinian population from the direct control of the moderate U.S.-backed government in the West Bank.

HIGH - In July 2007, President Bush announces plans for a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference. The session is expected to take place next week in Annapolis, Md.