“We urged them to take advantage of our remaining time in Iraq to settle some of these disputed issues...reminded his host that we have all sacrificed too much in blood and treasure to see the gains of the last few years lost due to political differences”

“"[Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is seeking] a way to better balance an individual family's privacy concerns with the right of the American people to honor these fallen heroes [and] is disposed, leaning, tilting towards trying to do more, if possible..."”

“The Russians know full well that our European missile defense system is not capable of defeating their...ballistic missile arsenal. Rather, it is meant to counter Iran’s growing missile threat. And we have bent over backwards to invite the Russians to partner with us to defeat this common threat.”

“This may be one of those cases where countries that have had a reluctance to contribute forces, in particular combat forces, may be able to take part in this mission through a financial contribution to the development of the Afghan National Army.”

“The faster we get the (Afghan army) to the size and strength they need to be, the less they depend on us for providing security, and God knows we operate far more expensively than the Afghan national security forces do.”