If the Arab world today looked like Tunisia, it would be a huge blow for the extreme ideologies. But Tunisia needs more support than it is getting, particularly from their close neighbors in Europe who have a great stake in North Africa.

You cant win if youre chasing the wrong problem.

After a regime is removed, however, it is dangerous to leave a security vacuum.

People change their habits. I know Americans who don't go to Paris because they think it is too dangerous.

I've met quite a few dictators up close and personal in my life.

Iraq has no history of ethnic conflict.

NATO is still the most remarkable alliance in history. It stuck together through 40 years of Cold War, and it then joined together to fight in Afghanistan. In the 1980s, I would not have thought this was going to be possible.