Ash Carter

Yes. Yes. And I think you characterized it quite well.

We are also quadrupling the European Reassurance Initiative, which allows us to do more with our NATO partners there.

Not on my watch, and I'll bet you not on my successor's watch either, is anybody going to transfer these people.

We do need Homeland Security, we need the Intelligence, we need the State Department.

Obviously, I'm the Secretary of Defense, so I care very deeply about the defense budget.

I have not heard that in our discussions. I'll take that back and add it.

The biggest budget priority for us strategically is Congress averting the return of sequestration

I'm grateful that our country's leaders were able to come together last fall to avert that dismal future

Today's security environment is dramatically different from the last 25 years, requiring new ways of investing and operating.

The place may be turbulent, but our interests are clear.

It sends a signal to the world--to friends and potential foes alike--of our Nation's strength and resolve.

America is still today the world's foremost leader, partner, and underwriter of stability and security in every region of the world.

We can't have that, so we're going to need additional funding.

The TPP is as important to me as another aircraft carrier.

DOD must now prepare for and seek to prevent the possibility of a conflict that extends into space, and we are.

We don't want a draft . . . We don't want people chosen for us. We want to pick people. That's what the All-Volunteer Force is all about.

Modernization is a key part of restoring readiness.

Guam is a critical part of the posture improvements and strengthenings we are doing in the Asia-Pacific.

It is the single region of greatest consequence for America's future.

Our view is that everybody ought to resolve those peacefully and not militarize those features.

It will be self-defeating and self-isolating for China, so I hope they don't do that.

We are concerned about that prospect. And is it consistent? No, it is not consistent.

Chinese behavior is self-isolating and driving many countries to want to do more with us and are doing more with us.

We are constantly evaluating our relationship with China and China's behavior, including in the South China Sea, where I emphasize we have very serious concerns about their aggressive militarization there.

The actions of the Iranians with respect to our sailors was unprofessional; it was outrageous.