Every civilization sees itself as the center of the world and writes its history as the central drama of human history.

It will take a long time, and certainly the West will remain the dominant civilization well into the next century, but the decline is occurring.

I think we've seen at least the beginnings of rather significant social and economic change in the Muslim world, which I think will in due course lead to more political change.

Critics say that America is a lie because its reality falls so far short of its ideals. They are wrong. America is not a lie; it is a disappointment. But it can be a disappointment only because it is also a hope.

Both sides are divided and Western countries collaborate with Muslim countries and vice versa.

As far as ideology or political beliefs are concerned, countries are very different.

The larger society has to recognize some degree of autonomy for the minority: the right to practice their own religion and way of life and to some extent their language.