Brookings Institution dinner

US Department of Defense Speeches, May 5, 2008

* High inflation;

* High interest rates;

* Two energy crises;

* The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan;

* Revolution in Iran and our embassy taken hostage; and

* Tens of thousands of Cuban soldiers in Angola and Ethiopia.

By 1980, the Soviet Union seemed ascendant and we were reeling.

Who would have anticipated during that discouraging period, that the groundwork was being laid--through policies pursued by administrations of both political parties--for the remarkable turn of events that occurred a decade later: the fall of the Berlin Wall, victory in the Cold War, reunification of Germany in NATO, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the liberation of hundreds of millions of people behind the Iron Curtain and around the world.

There are, I think, two lessons from all this. First, our weariness with conflict--with the setbacks and tragedy of war--is understandable and to be expected. But second, we must not let that weariness cause us to withdraw from the world or diminish our ability or our determination to deal with the threats and challenges of tomorrow.

There is no way to predict the future, nor can we predict the effect that decisions made today will have a decade or two from now. But, I believe, one thing is clear from history: When America is willing to lead the way; when we meet our commitments and stand with our allies, even in troubling times; when we prepare for challenges and threats that are on the horizon and beyond the horizon; and when we make the necessary sacrifices and take the necessary risks to defend our values and our interests--then great things are possible, and even probable, for our country and the world.

At such a time, it is perhaps fitting to close with the words of Winston Churchill, who said of us, "The price of greatness is responsibility ... The people of the United States cannot escape world responsibility." That was true when Churchill said it in 1943, and it is still true nearly 65 years later.

As a nation, we have over more than two centuries made our share of mistakes. From time to time, we have strayed from our values, and on occasion we have become arrogant in our dealings with others. But we have always corrected our course. And that is why today, as throughout our history, I believe this country remains the world's most powerful force for good. Because we stand for liberty and we stand for the God-given worth of each and every person. As we look to the future, I am confident that this country will continue to be a beacon for all who are oppressed, and it will continue to accept its responsibility for leadership in the world. And that is good news for the world.

Thank you.