First of all, I think the Saudis are deeply concerned about the collapse of negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians and the resumption of conflict.

The radical elements in Islam are very dangerous. They want to achieve a return to the Islamic purity of the Middle Ages.

It is beyond dispute that Saddam Hussein is a menace.

After the '30s, we said, "no more Munichs." And it got us in a lot of problems. Then we said, "No more Vietnams." Now if we say, "No more Iraqs," the next one won't be an Iraq. It will be something different. You can't learn lessons.

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

I believe the Chinese are gradually realizing that they're dependent on the system that, as they run out of energy, for example, they have to reach out to foreign sources for energy, for raw materials. They have to reach out to the world for markets. They have to export. They have to maintain full employment. They've got a terrible population problem. So they need a stable world, in a way.

The UN could help the Iraqi government get on its feet and help the United States withdraw a bit more.