The Security and Defense Agenda (Future of NATO). U.S. Department of Defense, June 10, 2011

Thank you, Mr. Secretary General, Jaap, for that kind introduction.

And my thanks to Giles Merritt and the Security and Defense Agenda for the opportunity to speak here today.  This is Day 11 of an 11-day international trip so you can understand why I am very much looking forward to getting home.  But I am glad – at this time, in this venue – to share some thoughts with you this morning about the transatlantic security relationship in what will be my last policy speech as U.S. defense secretary.