Chuck Hagel: “Maintaining ready forces is of highest priority, especially in a world of ever changing challenges and threats.”

American military power alone cannot and will not eradicate the threats posed by ISIL to the United States, our allies, and our friends and partners in the region.

No one person should ever govern a party. That’s not the point of political parties. Political parties must be diverse, have different opinions.

Iraq's continued political progress toward a more inclusive and representative government and its programs of reform and reconciliation will be critical to achieve the progress required.

The Chinese are watching this as relates to Taiwan, the Iranians, the North Koreans -- all countries are watching this, and watching the U.S. response to it, and the West response to it.