Al-Qaeda is a virus and it is spreading. If we fail to stop it, we will pay a very heavy price. - Barham Salih

I'm realistic, but at the same time, I'm optimistic. I believe we can overcome the problems. I do not shrink from the level of interest and political economy of the violence that has been caused by successive crises over the past ten years. These interests have prevented the progress of Iraq and the welfare of the citizens, but I am optimistic to the children of the country that they will understand the depth of the problems.

Leave Saddam in power? So that he would be free to continue killing, free to invade his neighbors, so that he would be free to — I am sorry — develop nuclear weapons? No.

Fixing Iraq would go a long way towards fixing much of the Middle East.