* “It is clear that the Islamic State’s business model is failing. … It’s biggest strength–the ability to loot and extract money through taxes–became its most significant weakness as it suffered battlefield losses.”–Peter Neumann, director of the International Center for the Study of Radicalization.
* “The three small EU Baltic states of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are terrified by Trump’s accusation that NATO is obsolete.”–John McGuire, director of international relations and cooperation with France Medias Monde.
* “Today, tomorrow and every day hence, be confident that the United States is now and will always be your greatest ally. Be assured: President Trump and the American people are fully devoted to our transatlantic union.”–Vice President Mike Pence, addressing the Munich Security Conference.
* “Let me address this very openly. The Europeans alone cannot cope with fighting international Islamist terrorism. We also need the support of the United States.”–German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
* “Turkey is an extremely important country for U.S. foreign policy. While there is much attention on the Trump-Putin relationship, the one between Trump and (Turkish President Recep) Erdogan is also worth watching. They share much in common, including an outsider’s disdain for the media and the elite and a pugilistic approach to politics.”–Paul Kubicek, professor of political science at Oakland University and editor of the Turkish Studies journal.
* “Every action, tweet and declaration by Trump throughout this campaign, his transition and his early presidency screams that he is compromised when it comes to the Russians.”–Thomas Friedman, New York Times.
* “He thinks confidence is more important than competence.”–Trump biographer Michael D’Antonio.
* “Like all narcissists, he doesn’t like to be told if he’s screwing up, so he surrounds himself with people who don’t tell him.”–Maureen Dowd, New York Times.
* “I turn on the TV, open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos. Chaos. Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine… .”–President Donald Trump.
* “Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound.”–Former Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.
* “When you look at history, the first thing that dictators do is shut down the press. And I’m not saying President Trump is trying to be a dictator. I’m just saying we need to learn the lessons of history. … We need a free press.”–Sen. John McCain.
* “We’re about to enter a moment in which U.S. economic and military might is strong but U.S. political might is weak. Imagine the Roman Empire governed by Monaco.”–David Brooks, New York Times.
* “We need a Congress who speaks up against a president who has shown in the past 30 days some very risky behavior as the chief executive.”–Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly.
* “Mar-a-Lago is no Camp David. It’s not set up with the intention or the forethought of keeping the president safe.”–Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., who represents Palm Beach.
* “I could never see myself voting for a Democrat, especially right now. I think we’ve lost the Democratic Party. I think it has been hijacked by left-wing, radical agendas.”–Caitlin Jenner.
* “This is the first structural tailwind in the industry in some time. … You have one shot to establish yourself as a credible delivery alternative.”–Bloomin’ Brands CEO Liz Smith, in noting that many of the company’s chain restaurants, mostly Outback and Carrabba’s, will offer third-party or its own delivery service by the end of next month.
* “Somehow the state of Florida went off the (educational) path when we had this really great idea on the issue of accountability.”–Miami Republican Sen. Anitere Flores, in response to those citing an overemphasis on testing.
* “It’s the hardest subject matter in all of Florida politics.”–Lobbyist Brian Ballard, in reference to the expansion of gambling.
* “There’s a troubling trend toward authoritarianism, and Congress is in place to act as a check and balance on the administration. We have an important role to play in reaching out to our elected officials and encouraging them to take that role seriously.”–Indivisible Tampa co-founder Michael Broache.
* “I’d like to encourage the process to move as quickly as possible.”–MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, on the Rays’ search for a new stadium site in the Tampa Bay market.