Constraint theory argues a number of things. First, that the impossible has to be identified. Second, that the actor is then constrained by circumstances to act a certain way. For example, should we invade ISIS? Can we invade ISIS? What… — George Friedman Copy Share Image
“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was… — George Friedman Copy Share
“In Geo-Politics, a nation has no permanent allies or permanent enemies, only permanent interests.” — George Friedman Copy Share
Galvanized people can do careless things. It is in the extreme and emotion-laden moments that distance and coolness are most required. I am tempted… — George Friedman Copy Share
Assad's mother was a terror. He was terrified of her and she kept saying to him, you're not like your father. That's interesting, but… — George Friedman Copy Share
The Chinese have a long history of slaughtering each other without bothering their neighbors. — George Friedman Copy Share
Italy spills over to everything. Italy is a huge banking system. It has been the major banking system in Eastern Europe. It's worked with… — George Friedman Copy Share
If you go through the list of things that are not possible you're left with a very finite amount of possibilities. The fancy name… — George Friedman Copy Share
But every time new powers emerge they have to find their balance. New powers are emerging, old powers are declining. It's not that process… — George Friedman Copy Share
We cannot anticipate the moral circumstances under which we will live. And therefore [I refuse] to say that I will not live in a… — George Friedman Copy Share
“While you and I are allowed the luxury of our pain, president isn't. A president must take into account how his citizens feel and… — George Friedman Copy Share
War is an extraordinary condition to be in - to be, for example, in the combat information center of a warship [and behaving] as… — George Friedman Copy Share
When you're young and going to war, it's a genuinely exciting moment. You are going to risk yourself. On the battlefield, you are suddenly… — George Friedman Copy Share
“The Fifth Commandment of the Decalogue demands that one honor one's mother and father. That is not about calling home. It is about this:… — George Friedman Copy Share
If you lose yourself to rage in the complexity of battle, you are going to be lost. — George Friedman Copy Share
Constraint theory asks: What is the price for doing this? Now one way around constraint theory is declaring your enemy crazy. Crazy and stupid… — George Friedman Copy Share
