A military or government hierarchy is anathema to the dispersed population and diverse tribes of mountainous Afghanistan. – Iqbal Quadir
The history of Europe over the last several centuries provides clear evidence of the transformative power of commerce. – Iqbal Quadir
The rapid proliferation of cell phones in Afghanistan proves that anything that adds value to people’s lives spreads like brushfire – and commerce is certainly a force that could add value for Afghanis. – Iqbal Quadir
I’m motivated by creating a level playing field for the world so that the weak have a chance. – Iqbal Quadir
In America, people buy cars, and they put very little money down. They get a car, and they go to work. The work pays them a salary; the salary allows them to pay for the car over time. The car pays for itself. – Iqbal Quadir
We should encourage governments to be sustained by citizens’ taxes – that is, democracies. Democracies will be enduring allies of America. – Iqbal Quadir
When leaders are no longer beholden to the people who elected them, corruption results and the recruitment of extremists becomes easier. – Iqbal Quadir
The best way poor people can come out of their poverty is to get on the global highway, not on some dirt side road. – Iqbal Quadir
China has an almost infinite need for energy, and frankly, the world would be better off if much of that need goes in the direction of wind power. – Iqbal Quadir
Pakistan is riddled with problems that are rooted in the disproportionate power of the state. Aid has only boosted that power. – Iqbal Quadir
Barack Obama has talked a lot about changing the way America relates to the world, and few areas are as ripe for reform as our policies on foreign aid. – Iqbal Quadir
Rich countries have been sending aid to poor countries for the last 60 years. And, by and large, this has failed. – Iqbal Quadir
During the Cold War, the U.S. instituted a policy of sending money to governments in poor countries to buy their political loyalty. While studies show that sending aid to foreign governments creates allegiance, it does not lead to economic progress. – Iqbal Quadir
A lot of technologies in the world were unusual in the beginning, and became standard. That’s the beauty of bottom-up entrepreneurship and innovations. – Iqbal Quadir
