Freedom and democracy are nothing but instruments, just like stability. The goal is called progress and growth. Anyone who puts freedom ahead of stability is hurting growth.

This is reality. If [the American officials] want to believe, that's good, that will help them understand the region and be more successful in their policies.

We're talking about the responsibility, my responsibility according to the Syrian constitution that said we have to defend ourselves.

How can you be afraid to feel? Isn't fear a feeling? If you're feeling fear, you've felt one of the most negative emotions there is to feel. Everything else should be a piece of cake. Feel good, feel happy, feel healthy, feel loved, feel abundant, feel creative, feel compassionate, feel knowledgeable, feel powerful.

The problem with the West is that they start with political reform going towards democracy. If you want to go towards democracy, the first thing is to involve the people in decision making, not to make it.

America is interested in re-arranging the region as it sees fit.

[American's government] thinking they are the judge of the world; they're not.