It's also natural in that part of the world to blame what people view as the... as the most important authority in the region, and that currently is the United States of America.

Quote by John Abizaid

Topics: John Abizaid Quotes

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Our forces will not be on the sidelines.

Our forces will not be on the sidelines.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

It's clear to me now that we've got to reach out to the Arab Sunni...

It's clear to me now that we've got to reach out to the Arab Sunni...

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...

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

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