Colin Powell

Powell was appointed National Security Advisor by President Ronald Reagan in November 1987, serving until January 1989. He coordinated foreign policy and national security matters, including arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union and the Iran-Iraq War, becoming the first African American in this role.

On October 1, 1989, Powell became the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first African American to hold the position. He oversaw U.S. military operations during the invasion of Panama (1989) and the Gulf War (1990-1991), becoming a highly visible public figure.

During the Gulf War planning, Powell articulated the Powell Doctrine, which stated that U.S. military force should only be used as a last resort, with overwhelming force, clear objectives, and an exit strategy. This doctrine influenced U.S. military interventions for the next decade.

On January 20, 2001, Powell was confirmed as the 65th U.S. Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, becoming the first African American to hold the office. He advocated for diplomacy and multilateralism, but his influence waned after the September 11 attacks.

On February 5, 2003, Powell addressed the UN Security Council, presenting evidence that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. The intelligence later proved to be inaccurate, damaging Powell's reputation and becoming a major controversy that he later called a 'blot' on his record.

Powell resigned as Secretary of State on November 15, 2004, after President Bush's re-election. His departure was widely seen as a result of policy disagreements with Vice President Cheney and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, particularly over the conduct of the Iraq War.