I left Russia in 1993 optimistic that democracy had taken hold despite the obstacles.

Based on all criteria - military power, economic influence, cultural dominance - America remains number one, even though other, new players are increasingly challenging it in that role.

When it comes to setting national priorities, determining threats, defining challenges, and fashioning and implementing foreign and defense policies, the United States and Europe have parted ways.

When you have a hammer, all problems start to look like nails.

Obviously the administration intends to publicize all the weapons of mass destruction U.S. forces find - and there will be plenty.

International order is not an evolution; it is an imposition. It is the domination of one vision over others- in this case, the domination of liberal free market principles of economics, democratic principles of politics, and a peaceful international system over other visions that other nations and peoples may have. It will last only as long as those who favor it retain the capacity to defend it.

I left Russia in 1993 optimistic that democracy had taken hold despite the obstacles.