Quotes

[Observation, November 2012] The threat from al-Qaida has not been eliminated. We have slowed the primary cancer, but we know that the cancer has metastasized to other parts of the global body.

[a 2012 warning, as U.S. Secretary of Defense] This is the pre-911 moment. An aggressor nation or extremist group could gain control of critical switches and derail passenger planes, or trains loaded with lethal chemicals. They could contaminate the water supply in major cities, or shut down the power grids across large parts of the country.

[on General John Kelly] This is a guy who is focused on the mission. You tell him to take the hill and he will take the hill. Then he'll tell you there's a smart way and a dumb way to do it.