Colin Powell's resignation removes a voice of moderation from the Bush administration, but the circumstances of his departure on Monday also raised questions about the president's declared second-term commitment to the Middle East peace process and transatlantic ties.

At his resignation press conference, the secretary of state said it had always been his intention to serve just one term, and that nobody had made an “offer” of more. It was a “mutual agreement” between him and President George W. Bush, he said.