Assistant Secretary, Political-Military Affairs Andrew J. Shapiro highlighted the importance of Smart Power at his first public speech as Assistant Secretary.  Shapiro talked about the collaboration between the Department of State and the Department of Defense and how vital this is in addressing the world’s most serious challenges.  He said Secretary Clinton is “institutionalizing smart power” at the State Department and stressed the idea that America’s leadership and engagement in the world can play an important role in creating new partnerships to address international challenges.