From VOA Learning English,this is IN THE NEWS in Special English.Secretary of State John Kerry made it clear this weekthat American foreign policy decisionsaffect the lives of Americans.Mr. Kerry spoke during a visit to the University of Virginia.The school was established by the country'sfirst Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson.The visit came at a time when Congressand President Obama are debating federal spending.Secretary Kerry used his speech to call attentionto the importance of diplomacy.And he explained why the international affairs budget should not be cut.Mr. Kerry said foreign policy mattersdo not just include threats to the United States.He said they include "the products Americans buy,the goods they sell, the jobs they create,and the opportunity we provide for economic growth and vitality.""I'm here because our lives as Americansare more intertwined than ever before with the lives of peoplein parts of the world we've never visited.In the global challenges of diplomacy, development,economic security, and environmental security,you will feel our success or failurejust as strongly as those peoplein those other countries that you'll never meet."Secretary Kerry said one study foundthat most Americans thought the international affairs budgetwas 25 percent of the national budget.Many of those questioned wanted to reduceforeign affairs spending to 10 percent.He noted that such spending represents, in fact,just over 1 percent of the national budget.Mr. Kerry praised the State Department and USAID,the United States Agency for International Development.He said their good work is measurednot only in the value of the dollar, but in American values.He noted that it is less costly to deploy diplomats todaythan troops tomorrow.Secretary Kerry said the State Department and USAIDhave provided assistance to democracy and human rights programsin several countries.Mr. Kerry will make his first foreign tripas Secretary of State beginning this Sunday.He plans to visit nine countries in Europe and the Middle East.He also spoke about globalization and the spread of information.The Arab Spring is a good example of how social medialike Facebook and Twitter can influence foreign policiesand even change governments.The political unrest started over two years ago in Tunisia.This week, events made it clear that political reformsand change do not happen overnight.Tunisia's Islamist supported prime minister resignedafter failing to form a new government.Hamadi Jebali left office after saying his own Ennahada partyhad rejected his government plans.Mr. Jebali announced his desireto form a non-partisan government on February 6th.The announcement came just after opposition leader Chokri Belaidwas shot and killed in the capital, Tunis.Large protests followed the shooting.Supporters accused the prime minister of being involved.On Thursday, Ennadha members chose Interior Minister Ali Larayedhas their party's choice for Prime Minister.He has two weeks to form a government.And that's IN THE NEWS written by ****Go to 51voa.com for more...