"The president has taken the right step in confronting ISIS but this is going to be a long long fight."
"When the U.S. stands back, nobody else will do the job. The U.S. has to provide the leadership."
"Iran, through the Quds force, has sponsored terrorism on five continents. They are a bad player."
"Iran's 19,000 centrifuges could produce weapons grade fuel in 12-15 months."
"In the anxiety to cut a deal with Iran, we are going to cut a bad deal."
"one option going after Bin Laden was sending in a B2 bomber and blowing the shit out of it. Something attractive about that."
on Bin Laden raid "Important for the U.S. To send the message that you cannot attack the United States and get away with it."
on Putin "He sensed weakness in the way we dealt with the Syria red line."
"I looked into his eyes and all I saw was KGB, KGB, KGB."
on Putin/Russia "I would reinstate missile defense. The Russians hate missile defense."
on Hong Kong protests "You cannot allow people to enjoy the benefits of a free society without allowing people to be free."
on cyberattacks "The capability exists to take down our power and water systems right now."
on cyber security "This is like dealing with nuclear weapons."
"History will look at this time as the time in which we are at war with Islamic terrorism."
"Every operation I conducted as CIA director I briefed Congress so that they were aware."
on Obama "He believes that if you explain and issue people will embrace it. Shit it doesn't work that way."
"I want this president to succeed just like I want every president to succeed. But in order to do that he has to engage."
"One of the greatest threats to the U.S. Is the dysfunction in Washington today."
"If men and women are willing to fight and die for this country it's not too much to ask for leadership to take a little risk."