Our democratic values also include - and our national security demands - open and transparent government. Some information obviously needs to be protected. And since his first days in office, President Obama has worked to strike the proper balance between the security the American people deserve and the openness our democratic society expects.

Poverty does not cause violence and terrorism. Lack of education does not cause terrorism.

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'm neither Republican nor Democrat. I've worked for the past five administrations.

Throughout my career, I had the great fortune to experience firsthand as well as to witness what it means to be a CIA officer.

The men and women of the CIA are a national treasure.