I don't get into the book-telling business of conversations I have with the president. That's not my style, and I don't think that's a responsible thing to do.

The recent wave of Taliban attacks has made clear that the international community must not waiver in its support for a stable, secure and prosperous Afghanistan.

I have said many times that Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism.

The United States can't impose democracies. We can't impose our will. The Russians found that out in Afghanistan.

This current government in Iraq has never fulfilled the commitments it made to form a unity government with the Kurds, the Sunnis and the Shia. We have worked hard with them within the confines of our ability to do that but we can't dictate to them.

No one person leads alone - can't do it, it's impossible. It doesn't make any sense. You need a team.

I would not trade America's position in the world - our ledger, our debts and assets - for any country in the world. There isn't a country in the world even close to America.