John Kerry

I think we have the ability to play a hugely constructive role in what happens and how events unfold in the Middle East.

Our policies toward the Middle East are going to have to change.

Neither Israel's future as a secure Jewish, democratic state nor the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians can be secured without a negotiated two-state solution.

This is one of those moments that come along only very rarely in the course of human events.

We are working hard to maximize international pressure for Qaddafi's departure and to support the courageous Libyans who have risen up to regain their rights.

Political systems are a little like bicycles, unless they are peddled forward they tend to fall over.

I am concerned that there has not been sufficient discussion and debate about the constitutional reforms needed in Egypt.

We need to encourage the establishment of institutions that translate the will of the people into action.

We have to see it in the context of 2011 and of this changing reality.

These uprisings clearly constitute one of the most remarkable, momentous developments of our time.

It is the height of hypocrisy for Iran's leaders to profess their enthusiasm for democratic changes in the Arab world while systematically denying them to their own people.

The revolutions that began in Tunis and in Cairo are not about us, they are about the brave, proud, and determined people of Arab societies intent upon better governance and more economic opportunities.

If American forces go to war in Libya, we should ask Arab League governments and other governments advocating for American military action to pledge resources necessary to pay for it.

But time is running out for the Libyan people. The world needs to respond immediately.

We need to emphasize the programs that will strengthen our engagement with people.

A successful democracy in Egypt will demonstrate that al-Qaeda's belief that change requires the cowardly violence of terror is wrong.

We have made clear our view that Assad cannot lead a democratic transition, that we have no American interest in the continuation of his government.

We have stated publicly that we do not believe Assad will implement reforms, that his regime will soon be part of the past and that we have no interest in the regime's continuation.

The United States supports the Syrian people and demands that the regime immediately stop its violent repression of peaceful protesters.

There is no going back to the status quo. Assad's regime cannot continue to use torture and killing to break the will of the Syrian people.

We have big interest in that part of the world. And it can be positive change, and we should be supporting democratic transitions throughout the region.

The message we are sending to the Syrian people is that this movement is a Syrian movement, and that the United States and the international community stand behind them in their aspiration for freedom, democracy, and peace.

When I return to Syria in a couple days, I will continue through my actions and my presence to demonstrate solidarity with the Syrian people and our rejection of the regime's empty promises, senseless violence, and sectarian fear-mongering.

I hope we, the American people, will understand the value to our national security of supporting those democratic transitions.

It is time for us to start thinking about the day after Assad.