ERIK PRINCE

The greatest threat to our freedom and prosperity is not al-Qaida, the Taliban, Iran or even China. It's an idea, the idea that we can spend our way out of our problems without tightening our belt and paring down the very bloated government.

Video games are an exciting medium. The creativity of design, the technology and the interaction represent the best of American innovation.

I'm a practicing Roman Catholic, but you don't have to be Catholic, you don't have to be a Christian to work for Blackwater.

If the Chinese are sensitive about anything, it's not having their people die.

I've been overtly and covertly serving America since I started in the armed services.

Everyone says they support our troops and thank you for their service, if they really want to support their troops, demand better. Demand that their sacrifice not be wasted. That we not just muddle along as some of the generals have called for.

I'm a strong supporter of the military.

Limited government is best.

I would rather deal with the vagaries of investing in Africa than in figuring out what the hell else Washington is going to do to the entrepreneur next.

I started a private equity fund and we invest in energy, mining, agriculture kind of things in Africa.

Sometimes motorists do irrational things.

If I could send a message back to my younger self, it would be: Do not work for the State Department at all.

I am a businessman, not a politician, but I am also a proud American who would never do anything against my country's national interest.

Our failed population-centric approach to Afghanistan has only led to missed opportunities, which is why Afghanistan depends on donors for 90% of government revenues. A smarter, trade-centric approach will boost Afghanistan's long-run viability by weaning it off donor welfare dependency.

Some people will always hate the name Blackwater. They might not like me.

We're very excited about Africa - it can be the breadbasket of the world.

Very few people know someone who would voluntarily go into a war zone to protect a person he has never met. I know 1,000 of them, and I am proud that they are part of our team.

In Iraq, State Department civilians and U.S. soldiers have been operating in the same location in an active war zone. While the troops have been facing insurgents, the State Department civilians have been working to rebuild institutions and infrastructure. Blackwater's role in this war evolved from this unprecedented dynamic.

Every individual who has worked for Blackwater in Iraq has previously served in the U.S. military or as a police officer. Many were highly decorated. And from the beginning, these individuals have been bound by detailed contracts that ensure intensive government direction and control.

Blackwater's work with the CIA began when we provided specialized instructors and facilities that the Agency lacked. In the years that followed, the company became a virtual extension of the CIA because we were asked time and again to carry out dangerous missions, which the Agency either could not or would not do in-house.

It's amazing how many countries run their embassies as commercial outposts to promote businessmen from their country.

We have done great work for the U.S. government.

The video game industry is constantly evolving. The sheer creativity matched with cutting-edge technologies gives me the comfort that innovation is alive and well in America.

I identify with Wyoming, I love the state of Wyoming, I love the people. It's a fantastic state - people that live in rugged conditions and who make their living doing things in the outdoors.

I think the diplomatic-security needs in Iraq were an anomaly. There's never been a bulge of requirements that large ever before.