All policy is a matter of gains and losses, upsides and downsides.

The American political system is so porous, it's so open, it's so frustrating for those who are trying to make policy.

One thing worse than an America that is too strong, the world will learn, is an America that is too weak.

American influence in the world is certainly considerable, but the United States does not control, directly or indirectly, the politics and economics of other societies, as empires have always done, save for a few special cases that turn out to be the exceptions that prove the rule.

While analogies are useful, however, they can also be misleading. They smuggle in assumptions that can be wrong.

Certainly, protecting oppressed people, stopping ethnic conflict and promoting responsible governance are worthy goals. But none is as important for American security and prosperity as keeping the peace in the Middle East, Europe and East Asia.

The war on terror, I believe, will be waged by effective intelligence and police work and cruise missiles.