Skip to content

Now, here we are, and we have Obama in office, and he has…

“Now, here we are, and we have Obama in office, and he has drawn down forces in Iraq - which is a plan that was on Bush's desk the day that he left office. The forces in Afghanistan, he's going to draw down, too. But at the same time, Obama has also expanded a lot of the more unsavory, covert…” quote by Jeremy Scahill
Download Open image
“Now, here we are, and we have Obama in office, and he has drawn down forces in Iraq - which is a plan that was on Bush's desk the day that he left office. The forces in Afghanistan, he's going to draw down, too. But at the same time, Obama has also expanded a lot of the more unsavory, covert aspects of the wars, with the drone strikes and some of the night-raid missions.”

Jeremy Scahill

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Obama expanded covert war tactics while reducing conventional troop presence.

In simple terms: He increased secret operations despite troop drawdowns.

Key Takeaway

Balance transparency with security in foreign policy.

Themes

war politics covert operations

Mood

critical concerned

Type

political analytical

When to use this quote

  • military planning
  • public debate
  • legislative oversight

Key Concepts

drone warfare executive power policy shifts

Questions to Reflect On

  • What are the ethical limits of drone strikes?
  • How should democracies oversee secret wars?
A Different Perspective

Covert actions can erode public trust and legal norms.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Jeremy Scahill

Explore all 24 Jeremy Scahill quotes

More Afghanistan quotes

Browse all 1,159 Afghanistan quotes