President Reagan, of course, did more than any other person to entrench the Republican reputation for toughness on national security.

My second epiphany came as an intern at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The man I worked for was consumed with what was going on in Bosnia. And the more I knew [about it] the more saddened I was. There were these images of emaciated men behind barbed wire.... It was like, I've got to find a way to do something.

I think Obama is right when he talks about the rule of law as a cornerstone of what the United States should stand for.

As a journalist, I've felt as if it's a privilege that people share their stories and want you to be the messenger.... Even in my current job, when I go abroad, I'm racing to get back to the president and the secretary to share what I've seen.

Being an occupier is not good for anybody's global standing. It is a catalyst for terrorist recruitment.

Success is not about who never fails. It is about who can spring - or even stagger - back up.

I think about Syria when I go to bed at night.