It's clear to me now that we've got to reach out to the Arab Sunni community in particular in an effort to cause some moderate political activity to take place so they join the future of Iraq.

Quote by John Abizaid

Topics: John Abizaid Quotes

Oh, the transition concerns me because as we move towards an important political event, it's...

Oh, the transition concerns me because as we move towards an important political event, it's...

Our forces will not be on the sidelines.

Our forces will not be on the sidelines.

It's also natural in that part of the world to blame what people view as...

It's also natural in that part of the world to blame what people view as...

So, these political activities will create friction in and of themselves, and in this environment...

So, these political activities will create friction in and of themselves, and in this environment...

Well, the reports are correct that we're conducting very robust military operations on the Afghan...

Well, the reports are correct that we're conducting very robust military operations on the Afghan...

We'll try to include Iraqi officers in our staffs. We will do everything we can...

We'll try to include Iraqi officers in our staffs. We will do everything we can...

I think what actually works best is local-level individual targeting of key leadership nodes.

I think what actually works best is local-level individual targeting of key leadership nodes.

But all that having been said, you can't, in a city of a million people...

But all that having been said, you can't, in a city of a million people...

In other words, for every 10 enemy you kill you bring on 20 new recruits...

In other words, for every 10 enemy you kill you bring on 20 new recruits...

But clearly the fact that we've gone from zero Iraqi security forces on duty in...

But clearly the fact that we've gone from zero Iraqi security forces on duty in...

You know as well as I do that counterinsurgency is a very nuanced type of...

You know as well as I do that counterinsurgency is a very nuanced type of...

And so I think that if the person has the funds, the network, and the...

And so I think that if the person has the funds, the network, and the...

I think you also understand that one of the key things that's got to be...

I think you also understand that one of the key things that's got to be...

Certainly our goal is to leave Iraq, but we can't leave Iraq with our forces...

Certainly our goal is to leave Iraq, but we can't leave Iraq with our forces...

Clearly the Secretary of Defense, my boss, would like nothing better than to get Osama...

Clearly the Secretary of Defense, my boss, would like nothing better than to get Osama...

Well, the hardest thing to do, as we know from our own experience on 9/11...

Well, the hardest thing to do, as we know from our own experience on 9/11...

But the truth of the matter is that there is there is an opportunity for...

But the truth of the matter is that there is there is an opportunity for...

Capturing any member of any terrorist cell or any insurgent cell that we may happen...

Capturing any member of any terrorist cell or any insurgent cell that we may happen...

Being on the run, having to change the way that you do business, being unable...

Being on the run, having to change the way that you do business, being unable...

I think you will see a lot of strains develop in the political process that...

I think you will see a lot of strains develop in the political process that...