The Associated Press: on War & Peace

James Mattis: North Korea must be stopped, but by diplomatic means

"This is a threat of both rhetoric and growing capability," Mattis said, alluding to the North's recent progress in building nuclear bombs and developing an intercontinental ballistic missile to deliver such weapons to U.S. soil. The Trump administration has been conducting a broad policy review of North Korea that includes military options, but Mattis stressed other approaches. "We are working diplomatically, including with those that we might be able to enlist in this effort to get North Korea under control," he said. "But right now it appears to be going in a very reckless manner. That's got to be stopped."

Conner Eldridge: Opposes Obama's Iran nuclear deal; needs more verification

Eldridge said he opposes the agreement, which aims to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in relief from international economic sanctions: "I think the Iran deal is a bad deal for our country," Eldridge told The Associated Press. "Reaching this deal enables $100 billion or more to go to the largest state sponsor of terrorism. That's just not a good deal in my opinion."

Boozman and the other members of the state's all-GOP congressional delegation have criticized the deal. Eldridge said he didn't think the deal's verification measures are strong enough, and said he doesn't think the U.S. should negotiate the agreement without discussing Americans imprisoned in Iran.

Natalie Tennant: We should consider ground troops against ISIS

Dan Sullivan: At State Department, I pursued global terrorist regimes

Barack Obama: Syrian use of chemical weapon is "red line" for intervention

"That's an issue that doesn't just concern Syria. It concerns our close allies in the region, including Israel," Obama said. "We cannot have a situation where chemical or biological weapons are falling into the hands of the wrong people."

The president said: "We have communicated in no uncertain terms with every player in the region, that that's a red line for us, and that there would be enormous consequences if we start seeing movement on the chemical weapons front, or the use of chemical weapons." Obama reiterated his call for Assad to step down.

Charles Djou: Don't forget troops in Afghanistan; don't draw down too fast

While voters are now focused on jobs and the economy, Djou said he will implore them not to forget about the troops in Afghanistan. He is urging President Barack Obama not to draw down the number of troops too quickly for the sake of those soldiers who remain. "I recognize that the war on terrorists is not as hot an issue as it was in 2010 and certainly 2008, but I do have a unique perspective and I do think it's important," Djou said in his first interview since his return. "I have a unique vantage point in explaining to the American people not to forget about those soldiers in harm's way."

Jeff Sessions: Pleased with the success of the surge

On the Iraq war, Sessions said he “could not be more proud and pleased with the success of the surge and the progress in the last two years.”

“I think if we can continue this progress in Iraq and it emerges as a strong and decent country that’s independent and stable, it would be a very positive development for the Middle East,“ said Sessions, who has visited U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and neighboring countries multiple times as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Figures said she was not in a position to visit Iraq or Afghanistan. ”I was against the war from the beginning,“ she said. She said no weapons of mass destruction were found. ”Iraq was not responsible for 9/11,“ she said.

Jeff Sessions: Withdrawal timetable tells enemy when to prepare an attack

Sessions said he hopes the US can withdraw “as soon as we possibly can. That’s my goal.” He said announcing a withdrawal timetable would be a “mistake--clearly not sound policy. It just tells our enemy when they should be prepared to attack.”

Vivian Davis Figures: Bush sent troops to war on erroneous claims

On the Iraq war, Sessions said he “could not be more proud and pleased with the success of the surge and the progress in the last two years.”

“I think if we can continue this progress in Iraq and it emerges as a strong and decent country that’s independent and stable, it would be a very positive development for the Middle East,“ said Sessions, who has visited U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and neighboring countries multiple times as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Figures said she was not in a position to visit Iraq or Afghanistan. ”I was against the war from the beginning,“ she said. She said no weapons of mass destruction were found. ”Iraq was not responsible for 9/11,“ she said.

Vivian Davis Figures: Mideast less stable than before we invaded Iraq

Sessions said he hopes the US can withdraw “as soon as we possibly can. That’s my goal.” He said announcing a withdrawal timetable would be a “mistake--clearly not sound policy. It just tells our enemy when they should be prepared to attack.”

Ed O`Reilly: Kerry was wrong to vote to authorize Iraq war

John Edwards: Made mistake in voting for Iraq war resolution

Edwards said it’s not just Iraq that is in chaos and in need of moral leadership from the United States. He said the United States should be leading an end to genocide in Sudan and to atrocities in northern Uganda.

Christine O`Donnell: Consider military action against Iran

Jan Ting: Iran has benefited from the war in Iraq

Betty Castor: Would have let Bush use force in Iraq with given information

CASTOR: Based on the information Congress had at the time, I’d have voted for it. I’m glad we got rid of Saddam and am proud of our troops in Iraq. They must have all the equipment and resources necessary to protect themselves and restore order. To move forward, Bush should work with NATO to establish a multinational force headed by the US, as we did in Afghanistan. We need a strong alliance to restore order in Iraq and ease the burden on US troops and taxpayers.

MARTINEZ: I firmly believe the decision to use force in Iraq was necessary. In the days following 9/11, we discovered the strength of al-Qaida and the severity of the terrorist attacks. We could defeat terrorists where they live or continue to respond to their attacks on our soil. The confluences of WMD, terrorists willing to strike our homeland, and countries that harbor terrorists create the need for the US to act.

Mel Martinez: The decision to use force in Iraq was necessary

CASTOR: Based on the information Congress had at the time, I’d have voted for it. I’m glad we got rid of Saddam and am proud of our troops in Iraq. They must have all the equipment and resources necessary to protect themselves and restore order. To move forward, Bush should work with NATO to establish a multinational force headed by the US, as we did in Afghanistan. We need a strong alliance to restore order in Iraq and ease the burden on US troops and taxpayers.

MARTINEZ: I firmly believe the decision to use force in Iraq was necessary. In the days following 9/11, we discovered the strength of al-Qaida and the severity of the terrorist attacks. We could defeat terrorists where they live or continue to respond to their attacks on our soil. The confluences of WMD, terrorists willing to strike our homeland, and countries that harbor terrorists create the need for the US to act.

Doris Haddock: Iraq war was a mistake that never should have happened

Denise Majette: Isakson voted against providing $1,500 bonuses to soldiers

MAJETTE: Majette, however, accused Isakson of voting against providing $1,500 bonuses to soldiers and giving them tax breaks. “As the daughter of a World War II veteran and the niece of a veteran of Korea who never returned home, I will never allow someone to question my integrity, my belief in what we are doing, what our soldiers are doing,” she said.

Johnny Isakson: Proud of my vote in favor of an $87 billion supplemental

MAJETTE: Majette, however, accused Isakson of voting against providing $1,500 bonuses to soldiers and giving them tax breaks. “As the daughter of a World War II veteran and the niece of a veteran of Korea who never returned home, I will never allow someone to question my integrity, my belief in what we are doing, what our soldiers are doing,” she said.

Al Sharpton: Day 1: Bring the troops home

A: First, I would immediately move to bring the troops home by appealing to Kofi Annan and the United Nations to convene as a world body to oversee, without United States control, the redevelopment and rebuilding of Iraq and would submit to that as a partner but not as a dominant force in terms of our contractors or in terms of military.

Wesley Clark: Retracts yes vote on Iraq: no imminent threat

The retired Army general, an opponent of the conflict, surprised supporters when he indicated in an interview with reporters Thursday that he likely would have supported the resolution. On Friday, Clark sought to clarify his comments. “Let’s make one thing real clear, I would never have voted for this war,” Clark said before a speech at the University of Iowa. “I’ve gotten a very consistent record on this. There was no imminent threat. This was not a case of pre-emptive war. I would have voted for the right kind of leverage to get a diplomatic solution, an international solution to the challenge of Saddam Hussein.”

Hillary Clinton: Support Israel in finding a safe and secure peace

She stayed away from more controversial topics, such as whether there should be an independent Palestinian state. Mrs. Clinton angered many Jewish voters last year with when she voiced support for such a state. But the animosity felt by some in the crowd toward Mrs. Clinton was evident on nearly every block, with some holding signs recalling her embrace last year of Yasir Arafat’s wife, Suha.

Rick Lazio: Follow Israel’s lead on independent Palestine

Al Gore: Israel: support full UN participation

Al Gore: Iraq: support Saddam’s opposition, until he’s gone

Pat Buchanan: Kosovo conflict is illegal and unconstitutional