Is the chief diplomat of the United States. The secretary runs the Department of State, which handles foreign affairs and maintains all of US's diplomatic missions around the world. The secretary also serves on the National Security Council, along with the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense and the President's National Security Advisor.

In Britain, this is the term for an MP who is also a minister, i.e. a member of the cabinet. Specifically, it refers to ministers who are the head of their department; for instance, Estelle Morris is currently the Secretary of State for Education and Skills. The term 'Secretary of State for XYZ' is interchangeable with the term 'XYZ Secretary'; it would also be correct to say that Estelle Morris is the Education Secretary.

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