Societies raise their grandest monuments to what their cultures value most highly. As the tallest buildings in a city noted for tall buildings, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were certainly monumental.

American foreign policy, for all its shortcomings, has underpinned political stability around the world.

People do not change when you tell them they should; they change when they tell themselves they must.

The main division in the world is between democratic and undemocratic countries.

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.

Great wars can only be fought by great powers.

The windfall of great riches can, if mismanaged, make things worse, not better, for the recipients.