Zalmay Khalilzad Quotations

The country is bleeding. Iraqis want their leaders to rise to the occasion, to form a government of national unity.

Everything that needs to be done must be done to avoid a civil war, and I think they are keenly aware of the danger.

At this point the determination is to meet the August 15 deadline.

Iran has another policy as well: to work with militias, provide training and provide weapons to extremist groups, direct and indirectly.

The U.S. and Iraq will work together next year to shift Iraqi resources from unproductive subsidies to productive uses that enable Iraqis to earn livelihoods.

I do believe it's possible that we could adjust our forces, downsizing them in the course of next year. That's possible given the positive political developments and continuing growth in the capabilities of the Iraqi forces,

It is a moment of danger but also a moment of opportunity.

When there have been differences between the various forces with regard to a particular issue, and they've asked for my help, I have proposed to them options for bridging the differences between them. Failure is not an option, and if they need my help, I have told them I'm available at any time.

This is a critical moment for Iraq. We call on all Iraqis to unite against terror and violence. Coming together in unity to condemn this barbaric act, and working for Iraq's salvation will be the right response. This desperate and despicable act shows that terrorists stop at nothing and care for nothing.

During the Cold War era, the issue was the containment of Soviet influence, and we tolerated many an authoritarian regime as long as they were useful to us in this respect.