Lying offshore, ready to act, the presence of ships and Marines sometimes means much more than just having air power or ship's fire, when it comes to deterring a crisis. And the ships and Marines may not have to do anything but lie offshore. It is hard to lie offshore with a C-141 or C-130 full of airborne troops.

Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude

We are rather candid with them about the nature of their political processes and the state of development of their institutions, but they are looking to the West because they know that's where success lies.

I consider myself a moderate Republican. I have very, very moderate social views, and I'm pretty strong on, on defense matters.

I have always held the view that decisive force should be used in addressing a military conflict. The reason is simple: Why wouldn't you, if you could?

It is the job of leaders to eliminate uncertainty.

I don't think we handled the aftermath of the fall of Baghdad as well as we might have. But that's now history.