The preservation of our national security and the laws that define us as the United States of America demand that we understand the intersection of the two - indeed, how they reinforce one another.

Next to upholding the Constitution of the United States, the president's highest duty is to protect the security of this country - our national security.

We will never abdicate the security of the United States to a foreign country or refrain from taking action when appropriate. But we cannot ignore the reality that cooperative counterterrorism activities are a key to our national defense.

The National Security Council's real role is to coordinate the various activities of the government of the United States in the furtherance of American foreign policy.

Although they may be reckless with the security of the United States, I think they are utterly cold-blooded realists when it comes to political power.

The main target is the United States. Both sides want to improve their position for bargaining in terms of security, politics and economics.