Our diplomatic strategy had to be arranged around the military planning. . . . The start date for the military campaign was now penciled in for 10 March.

David Manning, British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s foreign policy advisor, in a secret memo in early January 2003 responding to George Bush’s assurances to Blair earlier that month that war was inevitable no matter what happened at the United Nations two months later

Of course we had hopes. So much had been said in those days. Who could expect that it would turn out so bad?

Maria I Kompaneyets, who voted for Yanukovich in Ukrainian elections in 2004

They don’t have the same credibility. Sharon could say, ‘Trust me.’ With Olmert, people say, ‘We’re willing to trust you, but tell us please, what is it we should trust you with?’

Eyal Arad, former advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Arial Sharon, discussing Ehud Olmert, leading candidate in Israeli elections

More Iraqis are dying from the militia violence than from the terrorists. The militias need to be under control.

Zalmay Khalilzad, American ambassador to Iraq

It’s hard sometimes to sort out who’s killing who.

Rick Lynch, US major general and military spokesperson

[It is] unlikely there would be internecine warfare between the different religious and ethnic groups.

George Bush, US President, in private talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as revealed in newly-leaked memos

As for the future government of Iraq, people would find it very odd if we handed it over to another dictator.

Tony Blair, in oddly casual discussions with Bush about war planned in Iraq for two months later

The US was thinking of flying U2 reconnaissance aircraft with fighter cover over Iraq, painted in UN colours. If Saddam fired on them, he would be in breach.

Recently released memo about how Bush proposed provoking a cause for war in Iraq, after acknowledging that weapons of mass destruction won’t be found to justify war

Our constitution says that the judiciary power is independent, and the President has signed the constitution. We cannot intervene in this case, and it is up to the judges and the court what to do with it.

Moulavi Balooch, advisor to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, on the case of the Christian convert facing a death sentence for converting from Islam

I chose to take it as a compliment that nobody believes that you could have made it all up. It’s pure guesswork. Or, to use the posh word for guesswork, it’s imagination.

David Hare, writer of play Stuff Happens, which chronicles the rush to war by Bush, Blair, and others

My deal is, the Ministry end of it, being able to expose the name of Jesus on a car, and we just see a great opportunity in Nascar to reach people worldwide.

Morgan Sheppard, Nascar driver for the Victory in Jesus race team

I think time can certainly pass you by quickly. And you get on a little bit, and all of a sudden you’re maybe 35 without a major, and it may have passed you by.

Adam Scott, who at 23 became the youngest winner ever of the Players Golf Championship