I am deeply concerned about the precedent being set by the Secretary's submission to the Administration's political agenda.

I respect and appreciate that work. I look forward to continuing to work with you.

I think a priority needs to be how we handle other theaters and other contingencies, including through deterrence.

That alternative view is based on autocracy, the idea that democracy doesn't work, freedom doesn't work, you need to have a strong man.

The Defense Department needs to invest boldly in new concepts of operations and the capabilities to carry them out.

I would argue that nuclear deterrence is likely to be more rather than less important.

Their economic model, I think, can best be described as kleptocracy, basically the folks at the top control all the money.

Put most directly, Russia and China are now aggressively pushing an alternative view of the world, and of governance.

That is a way to stand up to China because together we have half the world's GDP and we are dealing from strength.

We are sending these contradictory messages. We are undercutting our efforts with our allies.

I worry that that approach could potentially jeopardize our relationship with South Korea.