Secretary of State Colin Powell’s tenure will be remembered by many for the mistaken case he made to the United Nations Security Council in February 2003 that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction. Far more important, however, was Gen. Powell’s calm and intelligent understanding of the U.S. role in the world that made him both influential and popular.

Secretary Powell yesterday joined with five other Cabinet members since President Bush’s re-election to resign. That, in itself, isn’t unusual – now is the least controversial time for a Cabinet member to depart – but Secretary Powell will be missed especially because he not only had the public’s respect, but he forcefully represented a point of view that might not otherwise be heard within the administration. The secretary’s frustration over the rush to invade Iraq was well known; interest in the views of other nations led him back to the U.N., where many reportedly in the Bush administration did not want to go. He was not successful then for many reasons, but his conduct was admirable.

Upon his departure, Secretary Powell sketched the challenges of the world beyond Iraq. With the death of Yasser Arafat, “a new opportunity has presented itself in the Middle East.” North Korea’s nuclear program will once again gain the world’s attention. And referring to Iran’s nuclear energy program and the concern it has provoked with the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency, he said, “We have to work with our European Union friends and with the I.A.E.A. to find a solution to the Iranian nuclear program.” Months ago, the secretary demonstrated the power of his office when he concluded “genocide has been committed” in the Sudanese region of Darfur.

Sen. Susan Collins yesterday said, “I believe history will record Secretary Powell as one of the great secretaries of state to serve this country. He is well respected by all who work with him and has earned the deep trust and respect from his counterparts in other nations.” It is a fair summing up of four difficult years of work – work that sometimes was at odds with the U.S. reputation abroad.

At a press conference Monday, Secretary Powell, 67, asked rhetorically, “What am I going to do next? I don’t know.” Given his experience, worldwide respect and admiration within both political parties at home, chances are that something will turn up.