To understand Europe, you have to be a genius - or French.

I didn't want to set up a women's studies program. I thought women should learn to operate in a coeducational atmosphere, because, especially in national security and international affairs, it's male-dominated.

So there really was a whole series of things that took the women of my generation a little bit of time to push forward.

I love being a woman and I was not one of these women who rose through professional life by wearing men's clothes or looking masculine. I loved wearing bright colors and being who I am.

For me, America is really, truly the indispensable nation.

Iraq is a long way from the U.S., but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face.

China is in its own category - too big to ignore, too repressive to embrace, difficult to influence, and very, very proud.