Certainly our goal is to leave Iraq, but we can't leave Iraq with our forces until we know that the Iraqi security forces are capable and efficient enough to defend the sovereignty of the nation.

Quote by John Abizaid

Topics: John Abizaid Quotes

But the key shift in focus will be from counter-insurgency operations to more and more...

But the key shift in focus will be from counter-insurgency operations to more and more...

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...

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...

But I am satisfied that the information that we have that this is the work...

But I am satisfied that the information that we have that this is the work...

Our forces will not be on the sidelines.

Our forces will not be on the sidelines.

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

As far as Zarqawi is concerned, there is a network of extremists; it's not just...

As far as Zarqawi is concerned, there is a network of extremists; it's not just...

We've got to ensure that the quality and the capability of these forces will be...

We've got to ensure that the quality and the capability of these forces will be...

Morale is good; troops are confident; leaders are capable.

Morale is good; troops are confident; leaders are capable.

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...

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...