I think the primary message to the world is that the United States is going to remain the strongest military power in the world.

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

The area of climate change has a dramatic impact on national security.

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.

An aggressor nation or extremist group could gain control of critical switches and derail passenger trains, or trains loaded with lethal chemicals.

My father said I was perfectly suited for Washington because I've always worked around nuts.

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