The U.S. spent billions of dollars to build a secular, professional national Iraqi army but failed because, despite all the U.S.-supplied guns, tanks and planes, the Iraqi military fell apart when challenged by a band of terrorists. — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
For decades, Saddam and his Sunni minority had imposed their will on Iraq, carrying on a 14-century tradition of Sunnis controlling Mesopotamia despite a Shiite majority. — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
The Syrians are better suited to sort out their internal divisions than anyone else. — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
Osama Bin Laden is dead. Killed not by a massive troop deployment but by a commando raid carried out by a few dozen highly… — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
Anyone who follows the Middle East and Islamic world in general can't deny it is often a very violent place, that a band of… — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
An Egyptian newspaper once publicly identified me as the C.I.A. station chief in Cairo. It seemed so stupid at the time. I was only… — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
Israel is becoming a fortress. Fences along the borders with Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria. — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
Every country where the the United States maintains troops has a status of forces agreement. — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
There are many Israelis who are not keen on Barack Obama - they did not want to see him elected. — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
If you're in part of rebel-controlled Syria, and suddenly your house blows up or a building next to you blows up, it would be… — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
Every child is taught if you try to please everyone, you end up upsetting everyone. — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
There weren't many weapons in Egypt in the 1990s. Police controls on guns were very strict back then. That is no longer the case… — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
Bin Laden is dead, and most of his friends are dead. But did it need to cost a trillion dollars and two land wars,… — Richard Engel Copy Share Image
