We need stable regimes in this part of the world [the Mideast] who will be partners and friends of ours, because the fact of the matter is we do rely on imported oil to fuel our economy and to fuel our nation.

Bad news isn't wine. It doesn't improve with age.

What we would be committed to would be a representative government where all the Iraqi people decide who should lead their nation, and lead it in a way that keeps it together as a single nation and where all parts of the nation - Shia, Sunni and Kurds - are able to live free and in peace and believe that their interests are represented by the government.

Some people naturally have a sense of empathy and an understanding of how to bring their followers to do things. They become great politicians.

That's why the army sends all its future generals to what we call "charm school." As soon as you are a general, people think that you know everything. You think yourself that you have become omniscient and omnipotent. Be careful, because people want to do everything they can to please the general, and you need to guard against this.

Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it.

The greatest gifts my parents gave to me...were their unconditional love and a set of values.