John O. Brennan

“U.S. computer networks and databases are under daily cyber attack by nation states, international crime organizations, subnational groups, and individual hackers.”

“While the intelligence profession oftentimes demands secrecy, it is critically important that there be a full and open discourse on intelligence matters with the appropriate elected representatives of the American people.”

“President Obama has made it clear that the United States is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”

“Terrorists are not 100 feet tall. Nor do they deserve the abject fear they seek to instill.”

“Any American who joins al Qaeda will know full well that they have joined an organization that is at war with the United States. Any American who did that should know well that they in fact are part of an enemy... and that the U.S. will do anything that is possible to destroy that enemy to save American lives.”

“The United States does not view our authority to use military force against Al Qaeda as being restricted solely to 'hot' battlefields like Afghanistan.”

“We are a nation of laws, and we will always act within the bounds of the law.”

“I want to be very clear: whenever it is possible to capture a suspected terrorist, it is the unqualified preference of the administration to take custody of that individual so we can obtain information that is vital to the safety and security of the American people.”

“Al-Qa'ida is the antithesis of the peace, tolerance and humanity that is at the heart of Islam.”

“The risk of just one terrorist with just one nuclear weapon is a risk we simply cannot afford to take.”

“I will not, nor will I ever, publicly divulge sensitive intelligence sources and methods. For when that happens, our national security is endangered and lives can be lost.”

“As we've seen, deploying large armies abroad won't always be our best offense. Countries typically don't want foreign soldiers in their cities and towns.”

“Poverty does not cause violence and terrorism. Lack of education does not cause terrorism.”

“It's not that the system is broken, but clearly there are ways to improve the system, strengthen it, to make sure that we can put together the various bits and pieces of information in a way that allows us to stop every single terrorist out there.”

“The United States is the first nation to regularly conduct strikes using remotely piloted aircraft in an armed conflict. Other nations also possess this technology. Many more nations are seeking it, and more will succeed in acquiring it.”

“Unfortunately, in war, there are casualties, including among the civilian population.”

“To me, terrorists should not be able to hide behind their passports and their citizenship, and that includes U.S. citizens, whether they are overseas or whether they are here in the United States. What we need to do is to apply the appropriate tool and the appropriate response.”