In Afghanistan you are not rebuilding, you are building. There is very limited infrastructure and extreme terrain, with deserts in the south and mountains so high in some areas that helicopters don't even fly well at a certain altitude because the air becomes so thin. The country has a serious problem of illiteracy, especially after so many years of war and Taliban rule.

I will not ever run for political office, I can assure you of that.

The president and I sat down in the Oval Office, and he expressed very clearly that what he wants from me is my best professional military advice.

Iraq has gone from being on the brink to being on the mend, and it clearly has some big advantages.

After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair.

There is no military solution to the challenges of Syria.

Reconciliation is what takes place, of course, at higher levels. President Karzai has been very clear about the red lines for reconciliation, accept the constitution, lay down their weapons, cut their ties with al Qaeda and essentially become productive or at least participating members of society in that regard.