"There are a lot, a lot of opportunities for these terrorist groups to capitalize on those problems and issues. To me, I'd like to think that, you know, the United States has demonstrated, through the course of time, that we take very seriously the obligation and responsibilities that go along with what I refer to as American exceptionalism," Brennan said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies forum Wednesday marking the 10th anniversary of the Justice Department's National Security Division.
"My definition of American exceptionalism may be different than others," he added. "I don't think that we as people are better than others. I think that we as a country, though, have been tremendously fortunate and blessed to have the resources, the people, we're the world's melting pot. We are, without a doubt, the world's superpower."
Brennan said he wished the U.S. had "that magic wand" to resolve issues like the Syrian war.
"And despite the challenges that we still face there, good on the United States for trying... Unfortunately, there are individuals who opt for violence and militarism as a way to push forward their agendas and to try to achieve their aims, again, which are perversions of religious faiths."