alliance and the nato alliance have endured for decades under democratic and republican administrations. finally in peru i'll meet with leaders of country that have been the focus of foreign policy in our rebalance of the asia-pacific. this is a time of great change in the world, but america's always been a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope to peoples around the globe. and that's what it must continue to be. finally, on a personal note, michelle and i want to offer our deepest condolences to gwen ifill's family and all of you, her colleagues, on her passing. gwen was a friend of ours. she was an extraordinary journalist. she always kept faith with the fundamental responsibilities of her profession, asking tough questions, holding people in power accountable and defending a strong and free press that makes our democracy work. i always appreciated gwen's reporting, even when i was at the receiving end of one of her tough and thorough interviews.