Explore Quotes by Brent Scowcroft

If Iraq were to descend into chaos, the Europeans would feel the effects just as much as we would.

But figuring out Saddam Hussein was one our greatest mysteries. He marched to his own drummer and frequently as this unfolded he made decisions which were sometimes inexplicable to us and sometimes didn't look very smart.

Saddam is a familiar dictatorial aggressor, with traditional goals for his aggression.

It is beyond dispute that Saddam Hussein is a menace.

The Europeans must finally understand the incredible shock triggered by the attacks of September 11.

The radical elements in Islam are very dangerous.

Progress is only possible if the United States and its allies work together.

Many Sunnis, who are still stuck in the Saddam era mindset and believe Iraq belongs to them, are trying to prevent a new country from developing at all.

I'm afraid that the United States is more isolated today than at any other time in my memory.

You know, different people are going to react different ways. And I don't think we should be intolerable because people do things a little differently.

To sum up, the position we took was that since we didn't know the internal situation in Iraq nor Saddam Hussein, that our best bet was to take counsel from the people who did know him and who did deal with him.

Yes, Israel's our ally. But, are the Palestinians our enemy? No, they are not.

So far the changes in the president in his second term have been mainly of a rhetorical nature.

The Iraqi elections were an important first step.

Saddam's ouster will not necessarily lead to the same result, since Iraq lacks democratic traditions. Democracy doesn't just consist of holding elections.

But, if you believe we should go around the world overturning regimes to make little United States, I don't agree with that, because I don't think we're capable of doing that.

An idea can be as flawless as can be, but its execution will always be full of mistakes.

The Iraqis need help establishing a government. We have to provide them with security.

The UN could help the Iraqi government get on its feet and help the United States withdraw a bit more.

Simply killing everyone who is already a terrorist today won't solve the problem.

But there is scant evidence to tie Saddam to terrorist organizations, and even less to the Sept. 11 attacks.