Moscow has been helping the Northern Alliance because "the Taliban was openly supported by Pakistan... until last week, Pakistani servicemen had taken part in war operations on the Taliban side.

It is painful to talk about it, but even with its 110,000 elite soldiers, the Soviet Union never managed to gain control over the entire Afghan territory.

Russia sees itself as a country that is self-sufficient.

The Baltic countries are sovereign nations. They have the right to decide which military and political bloc they want to be a part of.

Because of its huge territory, Russia must devote a great deal of attention to security.

When it comes to culture, religion and mentality, most Russians identify with Europe.

We have put the Cold War behind us. We no longer count our divisions and our warheads. And I am Russia's first civilian defense minister in many centuries. We have become more pragmatic.

i would rather havefeelings without wordsthan words without feelings.

I've always been famous, it's just no one knew it yet.

We should get into the habit of reading inspirational books, looking at inspirational pictures, hearing inspirational music, associating with inspirational friends.

The left no longer stands for common sense, as it did in the days of Tom Paine.

I've had some wonderful times at the White House. I've been with Ford, Carter, Reagan, Clinton and Bush.

For in my tradition, as a Jew, I believe that whatever we receive we must share.

Nowadays, saying what you really think can be a serious error since one risks being misunderstood.

The basis of good manners is self-reliance. Necessity is the law of all who are not self-possessed.

And there comes a time in your life when you realize that if you don't take the opportunity to be happy, you may never get another chance again.

By punishing men of talent we confirm their authority.