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American Interests Quotes

Historical commentary on decades of American foreign-policy debate.

These American Interests quotes trace decades of debate, from twenty years of attacks on American interests before September 11th, 2001, to the Cold War era when American and European interests aligned closely. That history connects to American quotes.

For twenty years, Islamic Jihadists have been attacking American interests around the world and we did not take them seriously until September 11th, 2001.

Quotes by Zach Wamp

I believe that if we think back to the period from F.D.R. through, let us say, Bush I, until the end of the Cold War, we lived through an artificial period in which American interests and European interests essentially dovetailed.

Quotes by Tony Judt

A number of Americans were used, most often unwillingly, by North Korea to arm spies with English-speaking skills so they could target American interests in South Korea and beyond.

Quotes by Robert Jenkins

While American interests in the Middle East must obviously be protected, America's credibility to support democracy for everyone everywhere is crucial.

Quotes by Richard Grenell

America Quotes

This notion that we're going to prop up foreign governments, that we're going to invade other countries for some kind of perceived benefit where we're going to install somebody who's going to be supportive of American interests or American corporate...

Quotes by Matt Gonzalez

Our strategic dialogue with China can both protect American interests and uphold our principles, provided we are honest about our differences on human rights and other issues and provided we use a mix of targeted incentives and sanctions to narrow...

Quotes by Madeleine Albright

No one can plausibly argue that ridding the world of Saddam Hussein will not significantly improve the stability of the region and the security of American interests and values.

Quotes by John McCain

Southeast Asia is an area in which there is a form of Islam which is both devout and progressive, and therefore to be supported. It's an area in which I see a congruence of American interests and local interests: to...

Quotes by Dennis C. Blair

I think American interests are served when there are sections of the world that have representative governments, politically open economic systems, and are willing to take a stand against some of the more extreme ideologies that there are around the...

Quotes by Dennis C. Blair

American Quotes

Foreign policy will require a strategic agility that, whenever possible, gets ahead of problems, strengthens U.S. security and alliances, and promotes American interests and credibility.

Quotes by Chuck Hagel

Frequently Asked Questions

What time period do the American Interests quotes cover?
They span decades, from Cold War-era alliances through post-9/11 security concerns and Iraq-era foreign policy debate.
Does this page take a political side?
No, the quotes are treated as sober historical commentary on real foreign-policy debates rather than an endorsement of any position.
What specific historical events come up?
September 11th, 2001 is referenced directly, along with debate over whether removing a specific foreign leader would improve regional stability.
Is there skepticism about foreign policy here too?
Yes, one quote questions the broader idea of propping up foreign governments for perceived strategic benefit.
What should I read next?
For more on national identity in this context, American quotes is a closely related page.

Later lines weigh the Iraq-era argument that removing a specific foreign leader would improve regional stability, alongside skepticism about propping up foreign governments altogether. For more context, see Believe quotes.