The euro is a great achievement. It's a symbolic achievement. But, the European constitution was a missed opportunity.

It's true that in France there is always this ridiculous complex about money. Money is cursed, shameful, money disqualifies you . . . In America, even though it is a Protestant country, it's the opposite.

There is a true weakness in American thought today: their incapacity to be interested in the intelligence of evil.

Europe has certainly lost confidence in itself. This was something that, when I was a young man, we never imagined would happen.

I would hope that Europe always has a privileged relationship with the United States. The alternatives are not attractive.

I reject the idea that there is some sort of existential "clash of civilizations." I am an interventionist, but not a militarist. War should always be a last resort.

America creates myths by focusing a lot of energy on its history and using it - - not always, but sometimes - for constructive purposes.