The art of diplomacy is to take an opportunity and turn it into something.

An idea can be as flawless as can be, but its execution will always be full of mistakes.

It is beyond dispute that Saddam Hussein is a menace.

But figuring out Saddam Hussein was one our greatest mysteries. He marched to his own drummer and frequently as this unfolded he made decisions which were sometimes inexplicable to us and sometimes didn't look very smart.

But, if you believe we should go around the world overturning regimes to make little United States, I don't agree with that, because I don't think we're capable of doing that.

If you look back at the first Gulf war, the Arabs sent forces, they sent money. So their interests in Iraq are clear, but they're nowhere to be seen now. Why? Because right now, it's dangerous to be seen as supporting the United States.

Perhaps the most troubling area in the world goes from the Balkans through the Middle East and in Central Asia.