 Since September 11th, 2001, it is increasingly clear that national security must be at the forefront of our overall foreign policy. As we face the threat of terrorism, as well as threats by rogue nations such as Iran and North Korea, it is more important than ever that we have a coherent, strong and wise foreign policy, and work with world powers like Russia and China. As we continue to wage the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must look ahead to the prospect of these countries serving as models for freedom and democracy in an otherwise troubled region.
We must also remain vigilant, pursuing terrorists anywhere they hide while guarding ourselves against additional proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The tragedies that continue to occur demonstrate the great need to defeat terror networks by promoting democracy, freedom and human rights in these areas.
Since the fall of communism over a decade ago, the U.S. remains the most powerful nation in the world. With great power comes great responsibility. We, as Americans, must continue to use that power for good. We must encourage political, economic, and religious freedom throughout the world. Just as we can never hesitate to counter threats to our security and interests, we can never forget that individual freedom and democracy for all people represent our best hope for a peaceful future.
Our foreign policy encompasses a whole host of issues from economic cooperation and trade to strategic partnership, and it has far reaching effects throughout the world, in areas of democratization, human rights and economic growth. We can be confident that bringing freedom and democracy to the world helps provide security and prosperity at home. My efforts in the United States Senate and in my role as a member of the Helsinki Commission are guided by the principles of democracy, free markets and individual liberty.
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Iran remains the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, supporting terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah among others. These terrorist organizations are largely behind the suicide bombers in Israel and support attacks against U.S. 
Our military forces in Iraq continue to perform brilliantly against determined enemies. They are giving Iraq's political leaders a chance to make political compromises that will stabilize Iraq. 
Developments in the Middle East shape many aspects of our foreign and domestic agenda. Issues such as Hezbollah's rearmament in Lebanon, the refugee crises in Jordan and Syria, religious repression in Saudi Arabia, and nuclear proliferation by the Iranian regime all affect our national security, our energy security objectives, and our humanitarian commitments. 
North Korea suffers from one of the worst human rights disasters in the world. The regime of Kim Jong-Il brutally denies its citizens freedom of thought, conscience and religion and even subjects children to ideological indoctrination. 
In the world after the September 11th terrorist attacks, American foreign policy makers were forced to re-examine the geo-strategic importance of Central Asia and the South Caucasus. 
As America continues to mobilize military, intelligence, and law enforcement assets to confront our enemy, there is one asset we have yet to mobilize which can be just as valuable as a bomb or a bullet: trade. 