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

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

Undoubtedly, there are members of the former regime that are cooperating in some fashion and...

Undoubtedly, there are members of the former regime that are cooperating in some fashion and...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...