“The fight against corruption is not bound to high-profile arrests and high-profile investigations.”

Already, Islamic State has broad support in many cities there. And when they get there, it will once again come as a great surprise to everybody.

Baathism in Iraq equals Nazism in Germany.

Many Sunnis joined Islamic State because they felt they were being treated poorly.

Democracy in Iraq will be an example that the Arab population will look to with great interest. And some Arab governments are concerned about democracy in Iraq.

American companies will have a big shot at Iraqi oil.

Do not seek to find a reason why elections are not possible. Seek to make them possible, and they will be possible.

Winning back their trust is the primary task of the new government. That will be difficult, but it is possible.

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.

It’s not who wins the fight that’s important, it’s being willing to fight. If you get challenged and renege, everyone wants to take a shot at you.

No man can fight his way to the top and stay at the top without exercising the fullest measure of grit, courage, determination, resolution.

When will you give up these mad adventures, and leave others to fight their own battles and to save their own lives as best they may?’ When your ladyship has ceased to be the most admired woman in Europe, namely, when I am in my grave.

Even if I have to stand alone, I will not be afraid to stand alone. I’m going to fight for you. I’m going to fight for what’s right. I’m going to fight to hold people accountable

Fighting is pure chaos, and to be a good fighter you simply have to be prepared mentally and physically to handle that chaos.

Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth… these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.

It’s not unsporting to thrash a cowardly cad,’ said Simmons. ‘Everyone knows you don’t fight like a gentleman.’ ‘That might be called an oxymoron,’ Ramses said. ‘Oh–sorry. Bad form to use long words. Look it up when you get home.’ The poor devil didn’t know how to fight, like a gentleman or otherwise.

It wasn’t a bit of good fighting grown-ups. They could do exactly as they liked.