Information technology has politicized the world’s population.
BRENT SCOWCROFTInformation technology has politicized the world’s population.
BRENT SCOWCROFTI think America has to do more than be a broker now. Because both the Palestinians are weak and Israel is very weak.
BRENT SCOWCROFTAfter all, we didn’t bring democracy to Germany in 1945; Hitler destroyed democracy there first.
BRENT SCOWCROFTAfter the ’30s, we said, “no more Munichs.” And it got us in a lot of problems. Then we said, “No more Vietnams.” Now if we say, “No more Iraqs,” the next one won’t be an Iraq. It will be something different. You can’t learn lessons.
BRENT SCOWCROFTDemocracy doesn’t just consist of holding elections.
BRENT SCOWCROFTThe radical elements in Islam are very dangerous.
BRENT SCOWCROFTIf Iraq were to descend into chaos, the Europeans would feel the effects just as much as we would.
BRENT SCOWCROFTIf you look back at the first Gulf war, the Arabs sent forces, they sent money. So their interests in Iraq are clear, but they’re nowhere to be seen now. Why? Because right now, it’s dangerous to be seen as supporting the United States.
BRENT SCOWCROFTRussia right now is searching for its soul. It’s trying to figure out what it really is.
BRENT SCOWCROFTProgress is only possible if the United States and its allies work together.
BRENT SCOWCROFTAmerica has never seen itself as a national state like all others, but rather as an experiment in human freedom and democracy.
BRENT SCOWCROFTI don’t think the Chinese look out at the world and want to overturn the system.
BRENT SCOWCROFTMuch of what we know about mathematics and trade comes from the Arabs. Then came stagnation, and now they’re the West’s whipping boy. This is a problem that cannot be solved overnight, and certainly not militarily.
BRENT SCOWCROFTMy point was that removing Saddam should not have been our highest priority. Fighting terrorism should have been our number one concern, followed by the Palestinian peace process.
BRENT SCOWCROFTBut the central point is that any campaign against Iraq, whatever the strategy, cost and risks, is certain to divert us for some indefinite period from our war on terrorism.
BRENT SCOWCROFTSaddam’s ouster will not necessarily lead to the same result, since Iraq lacks democratic traditions. Democracy doesn’t just consist of holding elections.
BRENT SCOWCROFT