Former Secretary of State Speaks Candidly About Asian Policy Hotspots [Videos]

Former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III may be nearly 82 years old and a couple decades removed from his time in office, but the Texan still has his ear to the ground regarding a variety of global policy issues — especially those in Asia. And Thursday afternoon in Houston, Secretary Baker captivated an Asia Society audience with a combination of blunt opinions and humorous anecdotes from days gone by. Baker's appearance took place two days before the grand opening of the new Asia Society Texas Center — you can read all about the program and watch it in its entirety here.

Below, we've broken down some of the Houston-native's commentary on China, North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the "Asian Century" into shorter, sharable video clips.

Let us know if you agree with Secretary Baker's view of the world in the comments.

U.S. 'should not be fearful' of rise of Asian nations

'There are some very interesting accidents befalling Iranian nuclear scientists'

'North Korea is a mess'

Counter-terrorism, not counter-insurgency in Afghanistan

Subcontinent 'one of the most dangerous places in the world'

'I'm not in favor' of U.S. involvement in the South China Sea