And we believe that our policies toward Iraq simply are to protect the region and to protect Iraq's people and neighbors.

I talked about the need for American leadership, I talked about the importance of the United States to a more peaceful world, a world that has been quite turbulent in recent years, and needs a strong American anchor.

We have important things to talk to the Russians about, despite their meddling in our elections. I hope they're talking about a way to eventually end this horrific humanitarian crisis in Syria, end that war. The Russians have more leverage than we do. I hope they're talking about the fact that, if Kim Jong-un's long-range missiles can reach Alaska one day, they can also reach Vladivostok.

The first step for a leader is to be right with yourself. Integrity is the basis of leadership.

I find that the great majority of public servants across the entire political spectrum come because they believe in the United States and they want to change the world.

There are some places that have had real quarrels with the United States' policies, but I think the country is very well-respected worldwide.

But we do have confidence in our institutions. We are not Russia. We have an executive that is constrained. We have a legislature that is real. We have a press that is free. We have courts that are independent. This is not Russia.