A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.

People who've had very unhappy childhoods are pretty good at inventing themselves. If nobody invents you for yourself, nothing is left but to invent yourself for others.

During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there were shades of grey and ambiguity.

A lot of people see doubt as legitimate philosophical posture. They think of themselves in the middle, whereas of course really, they're nowhere.

It's a principle of mine to come into the story as late as possible, and to tell it as fast as you can.

Agents of disruption, subversion, sabotage and disinformation tunnelers and smugglers, listeners and forgers, trainers and recruiters and talent spotters and couriers and watchers and seducers, assassins and balloonists, lip readers and disguise artists.

There is a big difference between fighting the cold war and fighting radical Islam. The rules have changed and we haven't.