Richard Armitage
The war we are fighting today against terrorism is a multifaceted fight. We have to use every tool in our toolkit to wage this war - diplomacy, finance, intelligence, law enforcement, and of course, military power - and we are developing new tools as we go along.Collection: Intelligence
I must say I've rarely been described as 'diplomat.'
U.S. assistance provides the Jordanian government needed flexibility to pursue policies that are of critical importance to U.S. national security and to foreign policy objectives in the Middle East.
I think, as a general matter, clearly, the United States globally supports the development of democracy and the democratic yearnings of all people.
I think that although we say we don't want to be the policeman of the world and et cetera, when 911 is dialed, it's the United States that has to answer the call.
You know, there's a real irony in U.S. assistance programs. First of all, I think it's misnamed. We're not so much trying to help people as we're trying to help ourselves. So let's be clear about this. So these are - in my view, they're cold calculations of national security and not aid programs.
Let's face it, the Obama administration was handed a pretty poor deal from the previous administration.
What could be better in al-Qaeda's mind than to have India and Pakistan going at each other? What more to further their aims?
I think most conflicts do end with negotiated settlements; some don't, but most do.
Secretary Clinton has dramatically changed the face of U.S. foreign policy globally for the good. But I wish she had been unleashed more by the White House.
Be prepared to be bombed. Be prepared to go back to the Stone Age.
I don't know if, at the end of the day, how brave Saddam Hussein would be if he were stripped of his bodyguards and everything else.
We've had Saudis and Jordanians and Pakistanis who have - and Syrians - who have been involved in armed attacks against coalition forces in Iraq.
I value my ability to keep state secrets.
I would not suggest the U.S. should sit down with the North Koreans bilaterally immediately after they've fired missiles - because the appearance is that you reward bad behavior. But if North Korea behaves for some period of time, I would pretty much favor direct talks.
North Korea is not an insane nation. It is not a crazy nation.
There is a growing recognition about China as a power in the ascent, and there is a question out there about what China will do with their new ascension.
I think there was a pretty smooth hand-off from the administration of President Clinton to the administration of President Bush, particularly in the counterterrorism area. The reason I say that is because there was, for transitions, I think a stunning continuity.
True satisfaction and true justice, in my belief, will only come for Americans, and for that matter now for Spaniards and Turks and Saudis and Moroccans, when we put an end to terrorism.
As far as this citizen is concerned, the decision to commit men and women, who are also sons and daughters, to combat is an extraordinarily important one, and not to be done to just feel good; to be done to absolutely accomplish a mission.
I'm the only honest person in Washington.
Whenever you're out of town, no matter modern communications, you feel a little bit out of touch.
Iran has interest in seeing that the Shia population of Iraq basically adhere to a line that comes from Iran.
The development of weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to carry them would be a very destabilizing effect, should Iran be able to accomplish that.
A terrorist is one who kills innocents for the pursuit of a political aim.
There are ways to pursue political change. In a democracy, it's through the ballot box. There are other ways, and many democracies have many different systems of democracy.
I think what Osama bin Laden does is to take the fact that some peoples lack hope and lack opportunity, and twist it to his own ends.
There are many countries who have traditionally sponsored terrorism. Iraq is one, though it appears the majority of the terrorism committed by Saddam Hussein is on his own citizens. Iran in this regard. Syria, with their close support of Hezbollah, is noteworthy in this respect.
We know that after September 11, there were still terrorists around. We do get continuing information that they're intent on causing some damage and harm to not only U.S. interests but allied interests.
The campaign against terrorism is going to be global and it's going to be long and there's reason to expect there will be difficulties along the way.
I'd say that, to be a good deal maker, you have to have 3 basic characteristics - timing, timing, and timing.
I think that Vietnam, many of us who served in Vietnam thought that was very wasteful, and to what end? To what end? What were we really there for? What were we really fighting for?
I'd have described myself as a Tolkien reader before this, but now I'd describe myself as a Tolkien geek.Collection: Geek
It's hilarious to be considered a sex symbol. In school I was a beanpole with a nose I hadn't grown into. Being thought of as sexy makes one employable, but it's not going to last forever, so I try not to think about it. It's like something that exists outside of me.Collection: Sexy
I'd say that, to be a good deal maker, you have to have three basic characteristics - timing, timing, and timing.Collection: Three
Do people really think that about my nose? I spent my whole life hating it, so its amusing that people like it!Collection: Hate
I think when I close my eyes what I think is 4,500 days or so, 4,250 I guess days, was long enough to give Iraq to come into compliance with the international order. And I think to myself how many Iraqi citizens died under the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein during those 4,200 odd days, and I think to myself how many more citizens of how many nations, the United States, Israel, or any other neighbor would die if Saddam Hussein went unchecked, though I am just grieved by the sacrifice of our brave men and women, but I think ultimately the greater good is served.Collection: Eye
The problem with me is I read everything, but it's only the bad stuff that stays with me. It's weird, you only need to be told something once and it stays with you.Collection: Needs
Unfortunately, my love life is nil. I'm working too much - but I would like to settle down at some point.Collection: Love Life
I'm probably more of a new man. I'm not particularly alpha. 'Nourish and nurture' are my watchwords as opposed to 'search and destroy'.Collection: Men
I think understanding or comprehension is probably the strongest emotion that you feel, or at least some kind of empathy.Collection: Thinking
Today, Iraq is an immediate danger to our nation. This time, we cannot wait. We cannot wait for Saddam Hussein to take a devastating action or to transfer a weapon of mass destruction to someone else who will. After September 11th, it is simply no longer an option to sit back and contemplate an enemy - one with a stated intent to harm us, a track record and the means, and just wait for him to strike in order to protect ourselves.Collection: Mean
You can have your beliefs, but if you're not devout, you can't quite believe that something which grows out of a story, a book or a piece of literature can rise to dominate and make entire nations go to war with each other. I think that's endlessly fascinating, and it's a human construct. It's something that's constructed to occupy the mind and occupy society, and some people would say to control society.Collection: War
You have to remove your human sentiment when it comes to greed and the accumulation of wealth.Collection: Greed
Ive never been that cute kid that was forgiven for being naughty.Collection: Cute
Well, the United States has said that the disarmament of Iraq is the top priority, but we have also noted that there are many other United Nations Security Council Resolutions which are on the books, including the necessity to respect the human rights of all the citizens of Iraq that we're very interested in.Collection: Book
Diplomacy is much more than just talking to your friends... You've got to talk to people who aren't our friends, and even people you dislike.Collection: Talking
Sometimes I hate the job that I do as an actor. I feel like I'm just of no importance in the world, but sometimes you get a real thrill out of the diversity of the work.Collection: Hate
I can work hard and be disciplined like a soldier, but I could never reach their level of fitness. I have a whole new appreciation of soldiers. I saw myself on screen and thought, 'That body is so not hard enough to be a soldier.'Collection: Appreciation
I must say I've rarely been described as 'diplomat.Collection: Diplomats