It's her first interview since becoming McCain's running mate.

On Thursday night, Sarah Palin sat down with ABC News' Charles Gibson for her first interview since becoming John McCain's running mate. And during the candid chat, which aired on "World News" and "Nightline," Palin discussed the war in Iraq, national security, and the possibility of the U.S. going to war with Russia.

"I hate war and I want to see war ended. We end war when we see victory, and we do see victory in sight in Iraq," the Alaska governor told Gibson.

Palin, whose 19-year-old son Track serves with the military in Iraq, added that she believes in the doctrine of pre-emptively striking countries that might attack the U.S. first.

"Charlie, if there is legitimate and enough intelligence that tells us that a strike is imminent against American people, we have every right to defend our country," she told Gibson. "In fact, the president has the obligation, the duty to defend."

And on the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on America, Palin took a firm stance on combatting terrorism: "I believe that America has to exercise all options in order to stop the terrorists who are hell bent on destroying America and our allies. We have got to have all options out there on the table."

Last, Russia recently invaded the country of Georgia. If Georgia was admitted into NATO (something Palin advocates) and was subsequently invaded by Russia again, does Palin believe that the U.S. would have to go to war with Russia?

"Perhaps so," she said. "I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help. And we've got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable."

Look for more of Gibson's interviews with Palin Friday on "Good Morning America," "World News Tonight with Charles Gibson" and "20/20."