While making a case for military strikes in Syria, Secretary of State John Kerry became an inadvertent peacemaker this week, and highlighted the risks and rewards of a chief diplomat who loves to talk but does not love the talking point.
Kerry's seemingly stray remark Monday about a way to avoid U.S. military action became an international disarmament proposal on Tuesday, when President Barack Obama agreed to seek consensus at the United Nations Security Council to place Syria's chemical weapons under the control of international monitors.
Kerry's candid remark came after months of back-channel discussions with Russia about securing Syria's chemical arsenal.