(Editor's Note: This piece first appeared in the March 16 print edition of Defense News, and was first published online on March 17 -- before Sen. Menendez was charged by the US Justice Department.)

Efforts to increase pressure on Iran and formally authorize the war against the Islamic State group could be set back if Sen. Bob Menendez is forced out of his Senate Foreign Relations Committee leadership post. The New Jersey Democrat, who is expected to face federal corruption charges, denies any wrongdoing. There already is talk on Capitol Hill about whether Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will remove Menendez from his ranking-member post. If he is charged, and Reid does just that, a shortlist is emerging to replace him.

Next in Line: Boxer

Outlook: Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., is an active and vocal member of the committee. She frequently spars with Republicans on foreign policy and national security issues and is no wilting flower when questioning witnesses.

But she already is ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and vice chairwoman of the Ethics Committee. Would she give up one? Also, she recently announced her retirement.

"That means she might not want to take this on," said Larry Korb of the Center for American Progress. "The leadership might say, 'We need to think of the next generation here. If we take the Senate back in 2016, we need someone who can move up.' "

The Favorite: Cardin

Outlook: Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., is not afraid to break with the Obama administration. Just last week, he stated that it "needs to do more to help the Ukrainians defend themselves," adding they "need defensive support so they can defend themselves as far as weapons are concerned." Korb said Cardin is "very good" on foreign policy issues and would likely make a strong ranking member.

He already is ranking member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. "The question there is whether he would give that up," Korb said. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a Foreign Relations member last session, last week called Cardin "an excellent guy" who would be a good pick.

'Next-gen Pick': Shaheen

Outlook: When Korb mentioned leadership likely thinking about the "next generation" of the panel's Democratic leaders, he said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. "would be very good... She is very well liked."

Korb said he worked with Shaheen on a military abortion policy measure, and left impressed. "She steered that thing through, and did really well with members of both parties to get it through." Unlike Boxer and Cardin, she holds no committee leadership posts.

Notably, however, McCain last October said she is not "a serious member" of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I don't see her at very many of the hearings," McCain said, according to the N.H. Journal. "I've not seen her propose any amendments or proposals that have to do with national security."

The Dark Horse: Kaine

Outlook: Granted, he's still a freshman, but Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has impressed members of both parties, and he has a reputation of working across the aisle that goes back to his time as Virginia's governor. Twice in recent weeks, Kaine has been spotted deep in conversation with Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn. And if Reid wants the panel to accomplish anything, that rapport could factor into his decision.

"I think leadership should consider him, if it comes to that," Korb said. "He's carved out quite an agenda for himself since he's been there. He's much more qualified than most freshman senators should be."

Don't rule out 2016 political ramifications, should Reid be led to pick a new ranking member. "Virginia is a key swing state," Korb noted. "I think it would raise [Kaine's] profile to vice presidential [candidate] level."

Editor's Note: An aide to Shaheen sent a reporter the following statement McCain made in 2010 about Boxer: "Barbara Boxer is the most bitterly partisan, anti-defense Senator in the United States Senate today. I know that, because I've had the unpleasant experience of having to serve with her. So when you hear her say she supports the men and women in the military, my friends, she does not, because she has never supported the mission — she has never supported victory."

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