You don't deploy forces into harm's way without knowing what's going on.

Well, the United States is a Pacific power. And we have always had a presence in the Pacific.

The terrorism from 9/11 has metastasized. It's metastasized in Iraq and Syria, in Nigeria, in Somalia, in Yemen and in other places in North Africa. We need a very comprehensive strategy to deal with that threat.

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.

My whole life has been dedicated to public service.

I mean, the Taliban, my view is that they have been weakened.

I have tremendous confidence in the ability of government institutions and the American people to do what is right to make sure that our democracy stays on the right track.