Richard Holbrooke: “The success or failure of reconciliation efforts will be linked directly to the success of the military operations.”

Afghanistan cannot go forward unless the international community, led by its greatest nation, the United States, continues to fulfill its commitments in the area, beyond combat troops.

There's no Ho Chi Minh. There's no Slobodan Milosevic. There's no Palestinian Authority.

If somebody wants to be reintegrated or reconciled, they have to accept the constitution and they have to renounce violence.

Why are we in Afghanistan? The short, simple answer is: 9/11, direct threats to our national security interests.