What will follow will not be a repeat of any other conflict. It will be of a force and scope and scale that has been beyond what has been seen before.

If you look ahead 10 years, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the people of Russia had become fans of missile defence.

You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe. If you look at the entire NATO Europe today, the center of gravity is shifting to the east. And there are a lot of new members. And if you just take the list of all the members of NATO and all of those who have been invited in recently -- what is it? Twenty-six, something like that? -- you're right. Germany has been a problem, and France has been a problem.

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

Control your time. If you're working off your in-box, you're working off the priorities of others. Be sure the staff is working on what you move to them from the President, or the President will be reacting, not leading.

It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal task.

Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution.