"...A smart strategy against global terrorism will be comprehensive, drawing on both timetested approaches and new ones. Military force may work in limited circumstances -- but we can't afford to neglect the other effective tools available to us, like strong diplomacy, intelligence sharing, and international teamwork to disrupt the financial networks that keep terrorists in business. And we can't ignore the long-term challenge of addressing the economic and political frustrations that terrorists exploit. Overreliance on a military strategy risks winning battles on the ground, while in the process losing the long-term struggle for the hearts and minds of the rest of the world -- particularly the Muslim world..."

"...The key question is how best to protect American lives. Global terrorism takes advantage of the ways in which our world is interconnected. This means that we need strong antiterrorism partnerships to fight back. In fact, we've been our most effective against terrorists when we've worked with other countries to destroy terrorist networks, not just a single camp or training site. Any strategy that unnecessarily antagonizes other nations weakens our alliances when we need them most..."

"...The use of military force is the oldest strategy of all -- and sometimes it's the only or best option available. But the threat of terrorism is too complex to handle with any single instrument -- especially not with a blunt instrument like military force. We'll be more effective in the short run if we work with other nations to tackle this problem in a comprehensive fashion, on multiple fronts -- through intelligence sharing and international teamwork to halt the flow of funds to terrorist groups, for example. And we'll be more effective in the long run if we and our allies work together to prevent this threat by resolving the festering regional conflicts and real or perceived injustices that terrorists exploit..."

"...The real question is: Are we doing everything we can to reduce the threat of global terrorism? Right now, we're neglecting some of the most important tools and resources for achieving that goal. A strong military alone won't do it. We need smart and farsighted diplomacy, the trust and respect of our allies, the help of effective global agencies and institutions, and the moral authority that comes from acting in ways that are fundamentally consistent with our values. We need to take homeland security seriously, and make far more meaningful investments in improving the ability of local police forces, firefighters, and medical and public health professionals to act with speed and coordination in the event of an attack. We need a comprehensive strategy that includes the best of both the old and the new..."