And over time, I think, as Iraqi security capacity builds, you'll see American and coalition presence there decline.

You know as well as I do that counterinsurgency is a very nuanced type of military operation.

But the key shift in focus will be from counter-insurgency operations to more and more cooperation with Iraqi security forces and to building Iraqi security capacity.

We'll try to include Iraqi officers in our staffs. We will do everything we can to empower Iraqi security forces to stand up on their own and operate where they can alone.

So, these political activities will create friction in and of themselves, and in this environment of friction there'll be additional violence.

But clearly the fact that we've gone from zero Iraqi security forces on duty in May to up to 200,000 today is an enormous accomplishment, but it's not enough.

Morale is good; troops are confident; leaders are capable.

And so I think that if the person has the funds, the network, and the equipment to do this, and also the experience, which is the key factor, then they can be quite deadly.

You don't build a new power plant in the United States overnight. It takes years to build.

Everybody needs to understand that I learned Arabic from the United States Army as a second language. I never spoke it at home.

Undoubtedly, there are members of the former regime that are cooperating in some fashion and then there are extremists that are within Iraq that are cooperating with them.

Darkness may hide the treesand the flowers from the eyesbut it cannot hidelove from the soul.

Spiritual grace adds to a life and it is crucial ingredient in any person’s quest to attain self-realization.

It's always difficult to play a scene of physical violence because you're always afraid that you don't know your own strength and might hurt someone.

There is no fast, easy shortcut for the word abbreviation.

I usually am accused of having a crystal ball into which I can gaze and look into the future.

When you have a solid upbringing and a strong sense of place, that sustains you. My sense of home never leaves me.

Brutal men with unlimited power are the same all over the world

humans are born in truth, but we grow up believing in lies. one of the biggest lies in the story of humanity is the lie of our imperfection.

People say it's a movie about boxing, but... I don't agree at all. I don't think it's a movie about boxing. Boxing is like a platform. It's just a stage where this is played out.

Have you ever been tempted to start your own business? First read this cautionary tale, especially if you think your ideas come from God.