The fundamental premise is that neither the United States or the international community is going to allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.

If the Iraqis fail to implement the reforms, if they fail to get a handle on the violence, there's nothing the United States can do, militarily or otherwise, that can solve those problems. They have to assume the primary responsibility to govern themselves.

Winning in Afghanistan is having a country that is stable enough to ensure that there is no safe haven for Al Qaida or for a militant Taliban that welcomes Al Qaida. That's really the measure of success for the United States.

I know that young people sometimes, caught up in the moment, make some very foolish decisions.

I don't think there's any question that America is safer as a result of the bin Laden operation.

I suddenly realized at the CIA that I had to make life-and-death decisions about people.

Al Qaeda still remains a threat.