Quotes of the week

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They said what?!?  

The problem is, every time there is a spectacular event, that starts the whole sectarian cycle again.

William B Caldwell IV, major general in the US military, on the startling, to him, phenomenon of revenge killings in Iraq

We see it as cynical exploitation of our attempt to avoid harm to civilians.

Anonymous spokesperson for the Israeli military after dozens of Palestinians, including a mayor, rushed to a house to populate it ahead of a planned Israeli air strike on the house, which was then called off

You have to define ‘win’ and I think everybody has a different perspective on winning.

Raymond T Odierno, Lieutenant General, returning to Iraq as commander of Multinational Corps

You could see it as really sort of a no-lose gesture on the part of Canada, but at the same time it’s very likely to be a no-win gesture as well.

Daniel Joyner, University of Warwick nuclear non-proliferation expert, on Canada’s decision to send an envoy to Pyongyang, North Korea

Everybody ran toward him and then he detonated his vehicle.

Ali Mohammed, day-labourer in Hilla, Iraq, on car bomber who lured workers to his vehicle with promises of work

Ramadan came along and all of sudden no one wanted to play the game, they all wanted to go home with their families.

Steve Brown, infantry captain in Canadian military, deployed in Afghanistan, on how Afghan police recruits don’t do what occupation Canadian forces there want them to do

The Jabaliya Refugee Camp in Gaza was the scene of Palestinian celebrations yesterday. No, a ‘martyr’ from the camp hadn’t managed to blow up a restaurant full of Israeli families, the usual reason for joyous gatherings among Arabs in this part of the world.

National Post unsigned editorial, about a camp that has been the scene of repeated Israeli atrocities, after locals crowded a targeted house to protect it, successfully

There has been no ‘ask’ from the United States or any of the allies.

Peter MacKay, Canadian foreign affairs minister, denying that Canada will support US efforts to intercept ships bound for North Korea bearing technology items or luxury goods

When you are not the only player on the stage, if you don’t want to speak, other people are going to fill the void.

Chris Waddell, Carlton University School of Journalism, on Harper’s troubles with media coverage on his trip to Vietnam

I firmly believe it is a question of not ‘if’ but ‘when.’ The threat is growing. I can’t speak to it being imminent. I have no knowledge of that. That’s the nature of this threat. There are things we don’t know. It lives amongst us.

Mike McDonell, assistant commissioner, RCMP, seemingly freaked out about the fact Canada has not suffered a major terrorist attack yet

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