The intelligent minority of this world will mark 1 January 2001 as the real beginning of the 21st century and the Third Millennium.

We all hoped in 2001 that we could put in place an Afghan government under President Karzai that would be able to control the country, make sure al-Qaeda didn’t come back, and make sure the Taliban wasn’t resurging. It didn’t work out.

The last time I visited Qaddafi was in May of 2001, 15 years after Reagan attacked his rather modest residence where he took me to show me how it had been left.

In the wake of the events of 11 September 2001, it now seems clear that the shock of the attacks was exploited in America.

I think there’s every reason this 21st century will be much happier.

In the 21st century, the countries that thrive will be the ones where citizens know their voices will be heard because the institutions are transparent.

In the twenty-first century, the robot will take the place which slave labor occupied in ancient civilization.

The 21st century is going to be the American century. Because we lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example. That is the history of the journey of America.

On September 11 2001, America felt its vulnerability even to threats that gather on the other side of the Earth. We resolved then, and we are resolved today, to confront every threat from any source that could bring sudden terror and suffering to America.

This young century will be liberty’s century.

It’s time to fundamentally change the way that we do business in Washington. To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative. That will demand new thinking and a new sense of responsibility for every dollar that is spent.