“American companies will have a big shot at Iraqi oil.”

The Iraqi people are living a long-running tragedy because of the legacy of the old regime, the Americans and their actions that are unsuitable for Iraqi society, and the weakness of national resolve.

The battle against terrorism is not only a military fight but primarily a battle of information.

All Iraqis can unite to defeat terrorism and can unite to rebuild the country.

You know the most important thing the Americans did for Iraq apart from liberating the country from Saddam was helping Iraq reduce its debt.

To handle the economy and services in a country like Iraq requires delegation of authority and the choice of competent people.

Sectarian politics gets votes in Iraq. But sectarian government fails in Iraq.

The Kurds know that they won’t achieve their own state by force of arms but through international recognition. And they have certainly heard what the German foreign minister said in connection with the arms deliveries.

What was said before is not important.

We are not panicking because we know that Islamic State cannot conquer the capital.

We must work very hard to avoid civilian casualties. And those terrorists and Baathists are holding the people of Fallujah hostage. We must release the hostages.

Islamic State is following a clear strategy. First, it wants to solidify its power in Iraq and Syria. Then, their fighters will try to advance to Syria’s Mediterranean coast.

If they are successful, that will be seen as their next great triumph. And then, their target will be Jordan, where things will be easy for them.

Are Iraqis ready to carry the responsibility for their country? Is Iraq ready to be its own master?

European governments recognized this and abandoned their resistance to weapons deliveries. Germany, too, acted correctly.

The United States worked very hard to reduce 80 percent of Iraqi debt.

We need a united front against Islamic State and Assad happens to be the decisive power that can fight them. But the situation is preposterous because we also have to respect the calls for change. I would be in favor of a dignified change.

A new dog never replaces an old dog; it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big.

I don’t have any special passion for politics, it being a never-ending merry-go-round of bosses big and small, all generally mediocre. I actually find it boring.

If you can make people understand why freedom is so important through the arts, that would be a big help.

At various points, in big ways and small, we get knocked down. If we stay down, grit loses. If we get up, grit prevails.

Music has always been a big part of my life. It’s kind of like a refuge for me. I just use it to get away.

Hip-hop is more about attaining wealth. People respect success. They respect big. They don’t even have to like your music. If you’re big enough, people are drawn to you.

I do like a bit of danger. Guns, cars, running, bullets. I’m up for it.

I’m a big wuss, and not the king in the least. My wife is.