Clinton arrives in London today to tackle a number of issues, including Afghanistan security, and then leads into a three-day series of meetings ending on 29 January in Paris. While in Europe, Clinton plans to also focus on the Haiti relief efforts, and developments in Iran. 

Clinton will also attend a ministerial meeting on Yemen on 27 January, therefore missing Obama’s State of the Union address. Thepurpose of the meeting is to “consolidate international support for Yemen, coordinate assistance efforts, and reach agreement on assisting Yemen in its political and economic reform efforts,” according to a statement by the State Department.

The next day Clinton will attend the International Conference on Afghanistan in London to discuss the country’s security, governance, and development efforts, as well as demonstrate support for the its future agenda outlined by President Hamid Karzai in his 19 November inauguration speech.

At a foreign affairs meeting of the European Council on 25 January, members discussed the London conference on Afghanistan, where the international community is reportedly expected to renew its commitment to Afghanistan following the presidential election earlier in the year. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton, emphasized the EU's solidarity with its international partners to focus on helping the Afghan government take greater responsibility in securing the country.

Secretary Clinton will end her trip in Paris with a speech on European security. She will also meet with President Nicolas Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to discuss the international Haiti relief effort, developments in Iran, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan, among other concerns.