Big Think

Dov Zakheim: Oh sure. I mean as an American, I want my country to remain what it’s been, which is the greatest country history has ever produced. That means doing what you can to help move the country along. In my sphere it’s defense, so that’s what I think I can help with. And that’s what I think is important. As a Jew, I think we have values that are universal in that we can give to the world. The most recent one being if you have a dream that’s 2,000 years old, don’t give up on it. There is a passage in the prophets about . . . It says that there will be old men and old women once again walking the streets of Jerusalem. Well go to Jerusalem. There are old men and old women walking the streets again. Well that prophet made that prophecy 2,000 years ago, and it's been a long interval since then. So I think my Jewish values – and it doesn’t just apply to Judaism or to Jews – is don’t give up on your dream. It’s very, very important.

Recorded on: 7/2/07