What is the "global test?"

Why ask when Kerry puts the definition right after it.

"But if and when you do it, Jim, you have to do it in a way that passes the test, that passes the global test where your countrymen, your people understand fully why you're doing what you're doing and you can prove to the world that you did it for legitimate reasons."

Jesse at pandagon is right, the global test is the Powell Doctrine.