Ms Rice will be the first black female secretary of state if confirmed in her post by the US Senate.

Mr Powell's resignation was announced on Monday along with three other cabinet members, bringing the number of key figures to leave the 15-member cabinet to six.

What is your opinion about the appointment of Condoleezza Rice? What are your views on the changes in the US cabinet? What is your reaction to Mr Powell's resignation? What is his legacy?

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

Your comments:

This should and would inspire all the black citizens of the US. She should head for being a president in the 2008 election. Being a Nepali, I don't think there will be any sort of change in the foreign policy of US towards Nepal. But I would like to tell the ruling party of United States to keep their eye on Nepal and send a clear message to Nepal that the true democracy which includes the nomination of president is must in Nepal.
Anoj, Nepal

She has some big shoes to fill behind Mr Powell as he is one of the most respectable and honourable people Ryan Rollings, NC, USA

Ms Rice is a very good choice as secretary of state. She will make us proud working with such a fine administration as President Bush has. We are proud and fortunate to have a leader like George W Bush. She has some big shoes to fill behind Mr Powell as he is one of the most respectable and honourable people I have known. I would love to see him as president of the US.
Ryan Rollings, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Sanity has definitely left the building, but it makes me remember Robin Cook's stand with Colin Powel. I could only wish Mr Powel had taken the same stand... it would have left a glorious legacy.
Amir, Pretoria, South Africa

For an African American woman to achieve such high office is a credit to the Bush administration Roger, Whitwick, England

Well done Condoleezza. For an African American woman to achieve such high office is a credit to the Bush administration, and to her hard work and skill. I am very happy that a liberal did not get the job.
Roger, Whitwick, England

Condoleezza Rice is going to be a poor choice to replace Colin Powell as American secretary of state. Ms Rice was a poor choice as a national security advisor. She was way over her head in dealing with national security issues involving terrorism issues and Iraq. She will do good to go back and be a scholar in some university or college.
Syed Madni, Falls Church, Virginia, USA

This is precisely what I feared would happen. It is a disaster. Rice, whom I respect for her achievements academically, has proven herself to have no principles other than dogged loyalty for her own personal advancement. She is no diplomat and secretary of state ought not be a "learn as you go" position. If she had true character she wouldn't accept the appointment.
Peter, Syracuse, NY, USA

Mr Powell undoubtedly chose to follow his head, rather than his heart for the past four years in the Bush administration. His distinction as one of America's finest statesmen may have taken some hits but he definitely is not damaged goods for the 2008 presidential run.
Alex Quermorllue, Milford, USA

If Colin Powell really had any backbone, he would have resigned prior to the elections. As it is, by waiting this long, he signalled that he still supports the Bush administration.
Talin, Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Foreign policy under the current regime is not the place for her Fred Kakooza, Kampala, Uganda

This is a very risky decision for Condoleezza Rice. At the end of Collin Powel's term of office, the world views America policy on world issues as non-focussed and haphazardly determined. Condoleezza has done her job excellently and won a lot of respect. Foreign policy under the current regime is not the place for her.
Fred Kakooza, Kampala, Uganda

Another hope to look up to. With hard work, discipline and perseverance anything in this world is possible. Let's look forward and hope and achieve. She is the greatest example to younger generations to have out there...Good luck.... We are proud of you just like we were with Secretary Colin Powell.
Isaac Demoz, Los Angeles, CA, USA

There can be no doubt Rice is qualified for the job, and has the president's ear. But how will she deal with Arab nations, with their attitude towards women's role in society? Based on this, and the fact that the Middle East is going to occupy Bush's next four years, I don't think this was the right choice for secretary of state.
Willis Shalita, San Francisco

Rice is being groomed for a presidential run in 2008. I think she will make a good secretary of state, and an even better president.
Brian, Kansas City, USA

We need true conservative leadership in the state department Travis Snyder, Chapel Hill, USA

Ms Rice is a great choice. She needs to clean house at the State Department. The media loved Colin Powell - and I think he did a fair job - but we need true conservative leadership in the state department. It is sad to see so many people think the US is some warmongering nation. People said the same thing about Churchill. History will prove us right again.
Travis Snyder, Chapel Hill, USA

Powell should have left much earlier, before the war in Iraq. He preferred to stay and accepted to play this unbelievable scene at the UN council where he tried to provide arguments in favour of his Chief's decision to invade Iraq. He lost credibility toward pacifists and did not gain the sympathy of war promoters. It is sad to see a person who could be a potential candidate for US presidency left with no option but retirement at the age of 67. Rice? May God help us!
Chadi, Lebanon

Bush chose Colin Powell for his reputation as a moderate - but he never listened to him and in fact Powell was often a problem for Bush. Now that he doesn't have to worry about appeasing the side of moderation he'll surround himself with people who think just like he does.
Tom Hunsberger, Canadian in Mexico

It is compromise, especially in foreign affairs, that is necessary in the world Jason Konik, Chicago, USA

Powell was actually a moderate and was against the war too. Too bad he's gone. Condi Rice is a hard liner. Hard liners are dangerous people because they're much less willing to compromise, and it is compromise, especially in foreign affairs, that is necessary in the world.
Jason Konik, Chicago, USA

She will never be a Madeleine Albright, that's for sure and here we go again, another yes person getting a plum billet in the buddy driven administration of our president. General Powell was never allowed to be effective and I think that was a huge mistake. Kind words upon his resignation are all very well, but he stood up and told untruths to the world public, based on the lies being fed to him and for that he lost a lot of credibility. I shudder to think what is in store for us, with the dreadful changes in our new regime.
D Stewart, North Carolina, USA

Both Rice and Powell made significant contributions during a time when there was significant chaos. Truth is never as simple as folks want it to be and more often than not, many years must pass before we are able to comprehend the whole picture. Best wishes for both of these fine people and may God continue to light their paths.
Penny, USA

Secretary Powell did a fine job and is bowing out rather gracefully. I don't understand why there are so many glib, self-serving pessimists out there about Powell and Rice. Let the dust settle and then see what happens, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Tim Riddle, Kansas City, USA

Powell was the only real American pragmatist Stephen Humphreys, Cardiff

Powell was the only real American pragmatist, with six now gone from Bush's newly elected cabinet - who knows what type of people Bush will replace them with.
Stephen Humphreys, Cardiff

He should never have accepted the job in the first place. He should have foreseen that his credibility would be exploited. He was a cautious and good man as a result of having been through war. His voice of reason will be missed. His family will gain.
Pablo, Areias, Portugal

I still remember vividly when he presented the US case in the UN Security Council in order to convince other members that Iraq owned WMD. Unfortunately until today after the US and their alliance had completely conquered Iraq and every inch of land trodden no evidence of WMD was found. The Bush Administration together with Collin Powell personally owes the world, especially the Iraqi people an apology.
Hoong SK, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Powell's replacement by Rice can be nothing but an unmitigated disaster Jonathan Smillie, Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA

Powell's replacement by Rice can be nothing but an unmitigated disaster. Dr. Rice has made it clear that she believes strongly in the Bush administration's unilateral right to pursue its policies regardless of world opinion, fact or truth. Putting an ideologue of her stripe in a sensitive position such as Secretary of State makes Bush's "if you're not with us, you're against us" message clearer than ever, and can't fail to make it harder for the US to work constructively with the rest of the world.
Jonathan Smillie, Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA

It would appear that Mr. Bush will begin to surround himself and listen only to a very small selected group of extremely loyal "subjects", and certainly not anyone who will go against his plans. Dr. Rice, unlike Colin Powell, will be a yes woman.
Rob, Annapolis, MD USA

Condoleezza Rice is a divisive neoconservative figure who will run the State Department as an offshoot of the Pentagon. In time, the once globally respected State Department will probably be absorbed completely/phased out, or become a glorified diplomatic press office for Rumsfeld.
Paul K Hatchwell, UK

People say Powell acted as a brake on the Bush administration? What would Bush have done without this so called brake?
Neil Marritt, Hull UK

Colin Powell did an excellent job David, Iowa, USA

Colin Powell did an excellent job trying to get the international community to work together for the people of Iraq.
David, Iowa, USA

He was one of the few in the Bush cabinet who tried to base his actions on reality, instead of trying to bend reality to a new unilateralist and belligerent creed. Unfortunately, he damaged his reputation by serving ideologues, who used him as fodder. He just was not as ruthless as his rivals in this administration.
Michael Jerosch-Herold, Portland, OR, USA

Colin Powell is the most honest man in the Bush administration he would make a wonderful president
Susan , Herndon Virginia USA

He is a fine man, and wish him a good future in his private life! He deserves a Peace Award in my eyes!
Hetty Zwanikken, New York, NY USA

So much for the argument for re-electing Bush of "not changing a horse mid-stream". The number of changes (actual and rumoured) in key positions, especially in positions affecting foreign policy and national security, considerably weaken the force of this argument. The lack of continuity and loss of working knowledge for this administration is not that different than if these people were being replaced by new members in a Kerry cabinet.
R Gomez, California, USA

To those who believe that Colin Powell was the last sane man in the Bush administration: so what? He was ineffectual at standing up for whatever you consider sanity to be, he wasn't part of Bush's inner circle and now Bush has won an outstanding mandate from the US people why should he continue to include people who do not share his vision in his cabinet?
Tom, London

What more can we say, he was a soldier, statesman and a true family man, he deserves a break. Hope to see him as President of the US in 2008.
, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Finally Colin has grown some backbone! Why he couldn't have done this before his UN WMD farce and kept some credibility is beyond me. Can't wait to see what he has next on his plate...
Brent, Expat, Germany

Who will keep Rumsfeld in check now? Nick, Chicago, USA

What a shame. He seemed to be one of the few reasonable people in the cabinet. Who will keep Rumsfeld in check now?
Nick, Chicago, USA

In spite of disagreeing some of the time with Colin Powell's policies, I managed to feel safer knowing that he was in the cabinet. Now that he's leaving, I have lost any hope that the US will try to unite the broken international community. If only it was Rumsfeld instead, with his irritatingly conservative notions of defence.
Christina Sklebar, London, UK

Very sad to see this moderate leave. I hope he will run for president in 2008.
Rachel, Minnesota, USA (ex UK)

For Bush to destroy the reputation of such a man by forcing him to say what he did to the world at the UN is one of the many tragedies of this administration. Had Mr Powell resigned three years ago, the world, and he, would be better off. A black man of integrity trusted Bush and now lies in the gutter.
Michael, Occidental, CA, USA

Mr Powell was an incredibly ineffective secretary of state Marsha L. Respess, LA

I am not surprised at all. Mr Powell was an incredibly ineffective secretary of state; No one took him seriously because he compromised every stand he took because he eventually caved in and followed the Bush administration party line. What a sad end to what could have been a glorious last chapter of a very distinguished career.
Marsha L. Respess, Los Angeles, U.S.A.

Mr Powell lost all credibility with his lack of conscience. He clearly indicated at the beginning of the Iraq debate that it was a mistake to go to war. Then told to "shut-it" and became a clown in front of the UN. Shame for a man that was so well respected.
Fred Pinczuk, Atlanta, USA

It's about time! Being loyal is a great thing when that loyalty is deserved. Mr Powell could have united this country as only a former military person could. With the performance at the UN I'm afraid he used up his considerable credibility. To bad for US.
Michael Morrison, North Conway NH, USA

So what has this to do with us? He did a job and now he's leaving - end of story.
Stephen, Sheffield UK

Colin Powell never belonged in the Bush administration. In my view he is a moderate man who truly understands the wrongness of the war and under other circumstances may not have been in the position to support an effort that was lost before we went into a war that is wrong.
Pat Selanikio, Sarasota, Fl. USA

As an American living permanently in the UK, I saw Colin Powell as the only visible actor in the Bush administration that upheld their originally stated "compassionate conservatism" agenda proposed for the first term. Without this one, clear, shining voice of reason, multi-lateral action and international co-operation, the second Bush presidency has set its dye in the wool. Compassion has had its last stand (at least for the next four years).
Stephanie, Berkshire, UK

I wish Mr Powell would reconsider Brian Gonsalves, Calgary, Canada

I wish Mr. Powell would reconsider. The world desperately needs a moderate in the Bush cabinet. Even if he can only prevent one war it would be appreciated.
Brian Gonsalves, Calgary, Canada

In truth this was not unexpected. Bush has in fact a slim mandate for a hawkish attitude but Powell may be out of place in the new administration. I suspect that Mr Powell being a canny soldier may have something else on his mind and could be keeping his powder dry.
Tony, welling Kent

I wish him well. Secretary has been the one voice of reason during the last 4 turbulent years. Without his moderating influence, I fear what the course the Bush administration may take. Frankly, it is a little frightening. What is even more amazing is that if Secretary Powell had run for President, he would have beaten both Mr. Bush and Mr. Kerry in a massive bipartisan landslide. I think the President is a little intimidated by him.
Trey, Hampton, VA

Colin Powell had a very difficult job in the Bush administration Gordon, Tacoma, USA

Colin Powell had a very difficult job in the Bush administration. He had to balance the State Department bureaucracy with the "let's act now" mentality of the White House. Powell didn't get a chance to build his own staff at State due to Bush's misguided decision to retain the bulk of the staff at the State Department from the Clinton administration. As such, the White House and the State Department were always at war. Powell was an excellent Secretary of State, and will be greatly missed. Here's hoping he will run for President in 2008! Maybe with Ms. Rice as a running mate?
Gordon, Tacoma, USA

This restores some of the faith I had in Powell before his display at the UN to support the war in Iraq. He was used by the Bush administration and I'm glad he's finally decided to resign.
Brandon Laufenberg, Madison, USA

His legacy: Inaction Joseph Battaglia, Wakefield, MA USA

His legacy: Inaction. Could have provided a stable voice, instead remained silent in the face of Rumsfeld. A good soldier? Yes. A good Secretary of State? Absolutely not.
Joseph Battaglia, Wakefield, MA USA

Loyal to the end, waiting for the election to resolve itself before leaving. Powell was never in the game. He was the salve for all those moderates who hoped that sanity would prevail. I hope he stays clear of this administration until the dust finally settles.
Ali Naqvi, London, UK

While I'm not sure why Mr Powell is resigning it seems some of the resignations are due to the individuals in question having already set the policies in place that will make them even richer in their civilian endeavours. Perhaps other reasons are internal, as the party now has a mandate to appoint even more right wing delegates to power positions and no longer needs its more liberal voices to be heard.
Gaz, NY

I had been fearing the next four years enough, without Powell's moderate influence on Bush, God help us.
Matt, Bristol

Powell was the only 'dove' in the administration Ed, Eastbourne

This is bad news, Powell was the only 'dove' in the administration, we will see them lurch even further to the right (if that's possible) his legacy: a decent man unable to get his voice heard
Ed, Eastbourne

Despite that fact that he was deceived about the WMD evidence, Powell remains one of the few honourable men in the bunch, with a unique understanding of war and international relations. His departure is likely to diminish the integrity of the Bush cabinet. Let's hope he has kept good notes writes a full and frank autobiography.
David, London UK

I hope he will now run for President.
Taylor Chambers, Ekeren, Belgium

Won't make much difference. I see no evidence that Powell acted as any kind o brake on Bush and his appearance in the Security Council before the war damaged his credentials as a statesman
Sean, Cardiff, Wales

He will be remembered by me as a man who aggressively pushed for war Jock, Blackwood, Gwent

His legacy will be the man who changed his tact and approach and a person that wasn't the 'moderating' force in the Bush administration that some would lead us to believe. Famous for describing Saddam Hussein's armies as contained and posing no threat-he soon changed tact after 9/11 when the Bush administration had the perfect 'excuse' to invade Iraq. He will be remembered by me as a man who aggressively pushed for war.
Jock, Blackwood, Gwent

Colin Powell is a great diplomat and soldier. I believe that he will be able to better serve his country again being out of under Mr. Bush's cowboy boot. It is unquestionable that he is a man of much greater stature than the man he was serving. I am happy that he made this decision.
C P, Florida, USA

May God bless you, Mr. Powell, for your efforts to make the world a safer place for us all.
Steve Regn, Wall, NJ, USA

A sane voice in an administration that needed it. The Bush administration worries me even more now. I wish him good luck with whatever he moves on to.
Peter Lovatt, Birmingham UK

Sanity has left the building
Claire Rivero, San Diego CA

Colin Powell's reputation was compromised by the misleading intelligence reports on Iraq's weaponry. I doubt that he ever forgave those who ruined his reputation. Unfortunately, in this new administration these same people are now in the ascendant. Heaven help us all.
Anthony J. Harrison, Charlotte, NC. USA

The last person with some semblance of dignity has left the building. I mourn the world's prospects.
Philip , Ottawa, Canada

About time too. He never belonged there in the first place and as far as I'm concerned he lost credibility and ruined his well earned reputation by staying in that position after it became all too evident that he was an outsider. He has finally realised that he will be even less influential in a second Bush administration than he was in the first. Of course the usual excuse will be given; to spend more time with his family.
Lilian, PA, USA

This is hardly surprising. From initial great promise, Powell was assigned the position of General Scapegoat. I would have more respect for him if he had resigned in protest before the illegal invasion of Iraq.
Ajana, Singapore

There goes the last sanity in foreign affairs in the Bush cabinet. Watch out France!
Peter , Brussels, Belgium