If there's ever an example that military power alone cannot be successful in Afghanistan, I think it was the Soviet experience.
Robert M. GatesRead
In my opinion, any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should 'have his head examined,' as General MacArthur so delicately put it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of strategic decision-making in military affairs.
Robert M. Gates expresses a strong opinion against the idea of sending large American military forces into foreign territories, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, or Africa. He underscores the necessity for future military leaders to carefully consider the implications of such actions, suggesting that any advisor who would recommend this should be critically evaluated, referencing General MacArthur's famous admonition.
Themes
MilitaryStrategyLeadershipAdviceDecision-Making
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in discussions about military intervention policies during political speeches.
More from Robert M. Gates
All quotes →No president is well-served by groupthink or by everybody singing from the same sheet of music they think he's on.
Robert M. GatesRead
I will always be an advocate in terms of wars of necessity. I am just much more cautious on wars of choice.
Robert M. GatesRead
I've been very sensitive for a long time to the repeated pattern, during economic hard times or after a war, of the United States' essentially unilaterally disarming.
Robert M. GatesRead
If Iraq and Afghanistan have taught us anything in recent history, it is the unpredictability of war and that these things are easier to get into than to get out of, and, frankly, the facile way in which too many people talk about, 'Well, let's just go attack them.'
Robert M. GatesRead
There is no international problem that can be addressed or solved without the engagement and leadership of the United States and everybody in the world knows that, its just fact of life. So sometimes I think we could conduct ourselves with a little more humility.
Robert M. GatesRead
Similar quotes
Doing the easy thing makes you popular. Doing the hard thing makes you a leader.
Rick WarrenRead
People ask me what's the most important function when you're starting an organization or setting up the kind of culture and values that are going to endure. The discipline I believe so strongly in is H.R., and its the last discipline that gets funded.
Howard SchultzRead
Wise leaders should have known that the human heart cannot exist in a vacuum. If Christians are forbidden to enjoy the wine of the Spirit they will turn to the wine of the flesh....Christ died for our hearts and the Holy Spirit wants to come and satisfy them.
Aiden Wilson TozerRead
You ask how I feel to be the first female president in southern Africa? It's heavy for me. Heavy in the sense that I feel that I'm carrying this heavy load on behalf of all women.
Joyce BandaRead
The exercise of true leadership is inversely proportional to the exercise of power.
Stephen CoveyRead
I was honored to have an opportunity to speak on August 28th, 1963.
John LewisRead