“I think Syria is often covered by phone. You have to talk to activists. You have…” — Anthony Shadid

The Americans invaded a country without understanding what eight years of a war with Iran had meant, how that traumatized Iraq. They didn't appreciate what they support for a decade of sanctions in Iraq had done to Iraq and the bitterness that it created and that it wiped out the middle class.

I don't think there's any story worth dying for, but I do think there are stories worth taking risks for.

On the flip side, I enjoy covering the Arab world, I've spent my entire career here in the Middle East, but I would never call myself a war correspondent.

I had a great childhood. I think writers are always better off when they have more twisted childhoods, but I didn't.