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

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.

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 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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...