I like to think that with me, what you see is what you get, and you can like or dislike it, it's up to you, but it's straight. That's something that I pride myself on.

We must be honest in acknowledging that neither Germany nor the US has the luxury of assuming that we can skate by on half-measures in Afghanistan and Pakistan and not risk suffering the consequences.

I think it's very, very important that in foreign policy and national security decision making, as in any other realm, that there be a range of diversity that reflects the full complexity of America. We should draw on those experiences to inform our decision making.

I am very aware of being black and female because that's what I am.

I am blunt when I want to be.

I was conscious of the fact that it could be to my disadvantage to marry a white guy - that some folks would hold that against me.

I think most Americans understand that we went through a period in which American leadership was judged quite critically internationally.