the single best blunt, frankly, to both ISIL and to a strong, dominant Iranian influence in Iraq is a strong, capable Federal Government based in Baghdad.

The U.S. really does have a vital national security interest in ensuring that Iraq or any other country does not become a safe haven for terrorists who could threaten the U.S. homeland, U.S. citizens, U.S. interests abroad, partners or…

I do think that the idea that if we had negotiated a follow-on settlement with the Iraqis and had a SOFA and a remaining force, the idea that that force would be able to prevent what is going on is--I am not sure that that would be…

It was the single most difficult part of the original SOFA to negotiate.

I think this campaign will take years, not months.

We consider it an unlawful occupation of Crimea in particular and continuing destabilizing activities in Eastern Ukraine.

I think that deterrence is a fundamental concept that we think about and work on every day in the Department.

military success must be complemented with political reconciliation and reform, or it certainly isn't lasting.

The predictability is critical to making sure that we have the flexible, agile posture, presence, capabilities that we need to handle these threats.

I believe, particularly in light of the events this fall with the Russian flagrant violation of the Minsk agreement that they had just signed up to, that all options should be on the table.

If confirmed, I commit to work with DSCA to ensure that it is prepared to provide information, equipment, and/or transportation for any items approved for provision to the Government of Ukraine.