We'll try to include Iraqi officers in our staffs. We will do everything we can to empower Iraqi security forces to stand up on their own and operate where they can alone.

But the truth of the matter is that there is there is an opportunity for them to participate in the economic and political future of the country and certainly in the security life of the country.

But as we move from this period of what many Iraqis regard as perceived occupation, we need to move towards one of partnership.

Undoubtedly, there are members of the former regime that are cooperating in some fashion and then there are extremists that are within Iraq that are cooperating with them.

But clearly the fact that we've gone from zero Iraqi security forces on duty in May to up to 200,000 today is an enormous accomplishment, but it's not enough.

I don't believe Iran is a suicide state.

But my Arabic is pretty good. It's good enough to have conversations with people, to understand what they say, to understand what they're feeling.