I leave CNN with the utmost respect, love and admiration for the company and everyone who works here. This has been my family and shared endeavor for the past 27 years, and I am forever grateful and proud of all that we have accomplished.

In emerging democracies like Russia, in authoritarian states like Iran or even Yugoslavia, journalists play a vital role in civil society. In fact, they form the very basis of those new democracies and civil societies.

I believe America will always win the war. It's a superpower that no one can challenge. The real challenge is for the United States to win the peace.

In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.

In Iran the whole reform and democracy movement has been based on the emerging free press.

If you have a child, I said, you have a responsibility at least to stay alive.

Our industry has invested so much money in technology that perhaps it's time to invest in talent, in people.