As a matter of international law, the United States is in an armed conflict with al-Qaida, the Taliban, and associated forces, in response to the 9/11 attacks, and we may also use force consistent with our inherent right of national self-defense.

Jihad is holy struggle, a legitimate tenet of Islam meaning to purify oneself or one's community.

I have a reputation for speaking my mind. I like to think my candor and bluntness will give you the answers.

The risk of just one terrorist with just one nuclear weapon is a risk we simply cannot afford to take.

I go to bed at night worrying that I didn't do enough that day to make sure I protect the American people.

Terrorism needs to be fought against and certainly delegitimized or attacked, but some of the underlying grievances that might in fact lead individuals astray to terrorism cannot be ignored.

A lot of things look good on an academic's blackboard in terms of the actions that need to be taken. It's almost like a football coach, when you draw the X's and O's: Every play that is chalked on that board goes for a touchdown. Well, there are a lot of yards to be made between the line of scrimmage and the touchdown.