It is vital that Iraq and the United States together send the clearest possible signal that those who commit acts of violence against American military forces and American civilians will not be rewarded with amnesty.

Today nearly every combat brigade located within the United States would report that they are not ready for duty. They are at the lowest levels of readiness.

I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States.

It will become more chaotic, ... It is obvious that the United States is in Iraq to stay. If this is the case, the Shiites will likely join the Sunnis in the fight.

The Government of Iraq also owes a debt to the American and coalition forces who are fighting the insurgency and helping put that country back together after decades of repression.

If we look at what the United States did in Iraq in the last three years, there are a lot of positive things and a lot of negative things. What the United States must do is to really understand Iraq in a different way.