Today we're seeing fundamental conflicts within political Islam, with the fundamentalists on the one side and the moderates on the other. Who gains the upper hand means a great deal to the world.

During the Cold War era, the issue was the containment of Soviet influence, and we tolerated many an authoritarian regime as long as they were useful to us in this respect.

It is important that the Iraqi people have confidence in the election results and that the voting process, including the process for vote counting, is free and fair.

The U.S. and Iraq will work together next year to shift Iraqi resources from unproductive subsidies to productive uses that enable Iraqis to earn livelihoods.

Success in Iraq will be a major setback for terrorists and a major asset for the security of this region. The struggle for Iraq is the struggle for the future of the world.

I don't believe that military intervention is always the right approach. What we need is a comprehensive strategy, one that advances democratization, economic reforms and equal rights for women.

I consider the modernization of the Middle East the central challenge of our time. This region behaves as if it were disturbed, if you'll excuse the clinical expression.

Iran is undertaking a massive effort to expand its influence in southern Iraq. At the same time, that influence decreases the more the political process in Iraq progresses.

We can't say whether Tehran is supporting Al Qaeda, but we do know that al-Qaida people come here from Pakistan through Iran.

The terrorists want civil war. Al-Qaida is attacking Shiites. The Shiite militias are taking revenge on the Sunnis. And the Sunnis are become more extremist, with some joining al-Qaida.

In my job I do my best to look forward.

If you do not carry out your mission, your gift to the world will be buried with other riches

CEOs will gladly overpay for a company if the acquisition enables them to keep their jobs.

The way to Bliss is through Understanding, through Wisdom.

Well, actually it carried Cadmus. Europa fell off and died along the way, but that's not important.'It was probably important to her.

I can't really even name a person I like in hip-hop music.

You know, if you didn't pay close attention, you'd think we were the only people in Iraq and the only people fighting the terrorists.

Yes, a Major would mean so much to me but I'm a great believer that if you work hard and in the right way, you will get what you deserve.

The downside to celebrity is when you make it a 24 hour thing. I think celebrity is about turning it on and turning it off.

Thoughts are mightier than strength of hand.

Realize all this as illusion, realize that within the illusion is the Real.