The idea that Arabia is best run by Arabs is no more palatable to Western leaders today than it was to Napoleon… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
After installing friendly leaders in Iran and Guatemala, the United States lost interest in promoting democracy in either country. — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
Relationships based on deals between leaders or ruling elites tend to collapse amid popular anger. — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
Accepting that Arabs have the right to elect their own leaders means accepting the rise of governments that do not share America's… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
As recently as the 1970s, some Pashtun leaders in Afghanistan were pushing to create a new state, Pashtunistan, by joining with Pashtuns… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
In the 1980s, the U.S. Army invaded two Caribbean countries, Grenada and Panama, to depose leaders who had defied Washington. — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
One of the most perplexing political questions of the late 20th century is how new democracies should punish deposed dictators and their… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
Revolutionaries who come to power by force of arms usually have great crimes in their background. Leaders who survive campaigns by great… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
Guerrilla leaders win wars by being paranoid and ruthless. Once they take power, they are expected to abandon those qualities and embrace… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
In fairness, Latin America's elected civilian leaders have made progress in some areas. They have brought their countries back to international respectability,… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share Image
It is truly vital for the United States to assure that it is not attacked with weapons of mass destruction; to prevent wars in… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
Because Iran understands Afghanistan far better than Americans do, making Iran a partner in a long-term effort to transform Afghan agriculture makes sense. — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
Land ownership in Guatemala is more unequal than anywhere else in Latin America. Roughly 90 percent of Guatemalan farms are too small to support… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
Honduras is strongly anti-Communist, maintains no diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, and has provided vital support for United States-backed rebels fighting to overthrow… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
Any country that grants asylum to Snowden risks retaliation from the United States, including diplomatic isolation and costly trade sanctions. Several don't seem to… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
Human Rights Watch wants Rwandans to be able to speak freely about their ethnic hatreds, and to allow political parties connected with the defeated… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
“Acheson immediately understood the urgency of this message. He summoned Ambassador Franks and told him that the United States resolutely opposed “the use of… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
During the 1980s, international interest in the Nicaraguan war was intense. No conflict since the Spanish civil war had provoked such passion around the… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
As long as Iran believes that its security will be increased by having a nuclear program, it's going to pursue its program. — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
Countries that control water are likely to be the big winners of the future. — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
“It is a great tool of dictators and tyrants, who want to get masses of people to do what they want, to make sure… — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
No offense to Iceland, but Latin America is where the fugitive leaker Edward Snowden should settle. — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
Castro has lived almost his entire life as a clandestine revolutionary. To such figures, truth is always malleable, always subservient to political goals. — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Latin America moved decisively away from military rule and toward civilian democracy. — Stephen Kinzer Copy Share
