Mark Coles explores the life of US Secretary of State, John Kerry, who is taking a global leadership role over Syria.

As President Obama said when he nominated him for Secretary of State, "Kerry's entire life prepared him for this role."

One of his childhood friends tells us that Secretary Kerry has kept the same principles he held as a young man at Yale. But others see him as a man of contradictions: a Vietnam veteran who lead the anti-war movement, then voted for war in Iraq.

What are his guiding principles and motivations? Is he ready to handle the unfolding crisis in Syria?

Producer: Helena Merriman.