We'll try to include Iraqi officers in our staffs. We will do everything we can to empower Iraqi security forces to stand up on their own and operate where they can alone.

Quote by John Abizaid

Topics: John Abizaid Quotes

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...

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...

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

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

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...