The circumstances are pretty dire, and I really do not think the majority of Americans recognize the urgency of the situation.

Though I would use the term 'adversary' rather than 'competitor', this strategy recognizes that the PRC is the only competitor with both the intent and, increasingly, the capability to reshape the international order.

I think the U.S. strategy has been to just push that back a day at a time, a year at a time.

The North's unrelenting pursuit of nuclear weapons, the means to deliver them, and its unmitigated aggression toward South Korea and America should concern us all.

The stakes are too high to embark on any other course.

The North's unrelenting pursuit of nuclear weapons, the means to deliver them, and its unmitigated aggression toward South Korea and America should concern us all.

I think sometimes those of us on this side of the dais understand some realities, but we do not explain them that well.

Our biggest weakness is our political division, is our inability to show that confidence, that bipartisan strength.

We need to level with the American people about just how much trouble we are in.

Today, more than ever, alliances are critical to our national security. Alliances and allies matter.

The significantly improved bilateral and trilateral relationships that are playing out now are the benefit of that outreach.

The stakes are too high to embark on any other course.

I think Secretary Blinken and President Biden and Senators Cardin and Risch through ratifying COFA, through spending time with Pacific Island leaders, have done is to show the respect to other sovereigns.

It is frustrating to us that we have not been able to be more effective in communicating to our constituents the urgency of these issues.

Clearly, this is no path toward peace.

This is pure evil, and it baffles me that there are those who seek to justify Hamas' actions.

They recognize that Americans have wearied of bearing so much of the burden of being that guarantor of the free and open global system.

Clearly, this is no path toward peace.