US forces have been increased [in Afghanistan ] from some 21,000 to about 31,000 over the past two years and a number of coalition countries have also increased their forces, there still are not sufficient troops.

ISIS is on its way to defeat but terrorism threat persists.

The task [in Afghanistan] is to reduce civilian casualties while still not hesitating to respond to enemies who are trying to kill our soldiers.

The Islamic State fighters in Mosul are dead men walking and I think they increasingly know it.

I did a week-long assessment in 2005 at (then Defense Secretary Donald) Rumsfeld's request. Following our return, I told him that Afghanistan was going to be the longest campaign of what we then termed "the long war."

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

Every civilian's death diminishes us, collectively.