John Kerry

Our goal must be to break the cycle. And that is, indeed, what the United States is determined to do.

I got a striking answer back that I think they are also finding their patience tried, and are prepared, in fact, to be more engaged.

Our country has long and wisely separated humanitarian concerns from politics.

Theirs was the appropriate approach.

In the absence of that, we don't have a chance of even finding out what it's all about.

We have to get beyond the political talking point that engaging North Korea is somehow 'rewarding bad behavior.'

Given these very real risks, the best option is to consult closely with South Korea and launch bilateral talks with North Korea when we decide the time is appropriate.

The risks of maintaining the status quo, in my judgment, are grave.

North Korea is the land of lousy options.

The U.S. response has been measured, but firm. We've strengthened sanctions and intensified coordination with our key allies, South Korea and Japan.

North Korea is making that a hard objective. It's expanded its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in defiance of the U.N. Security Council.

Last year was the most dangerous in recent memory on the Korean Peninsula, certainly the most dangerous since the end of the Korean war, in 1953.

The United States and its allies, I think, have an enormous responsibility...

Colonel Gaddafi has proven himself to be a brutal human being.

It's extraordinarily important for every element of the U.S. Government to send a message to the world that we recognize that we have global interests

We must consider the Libyan regime at war with its own people and we must tell the functionaries of the regime the crimes that they committed will not go unpunished.

Getting the civilian transition in Iraq right will also demonstrate, more generally, the ability of our country to transform security successes in war zones into long-term stability that goes beyond Iraq, including, for example, in…

This package could serve as a roadmap to the American public so that our effort in Iraq will end better than it began.

It will require a whole-of-government approach.

We may face a difficult choice between scaling back the diplomatic mission or accepting a degree of physical risk.

I believe it sheds important light on the tradeoffs that are involved here.

In accordance with the 2008 bilateral agreements that were signed and negotiated by the Bush administration, American troops must leave the country by the end of the year.

But, he would be the first to tell you that the job is not done and questions remain.

I want to express my respect for and appreciation for the leadership that the administration, but particularly Vice President Biden, has offered on this issue.

We have huge interest in this--the world does, obviously--in the stability of the region and the avoidance of violence and conflict.