--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Kurds know that they won't achieve…" description: "\"The Kurds know that they won't achieve their own state by force of arms but through international recognition. And they have certainly heard what the G..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb4/ahmed-chalabi-18859_achieve_the-kurds-know-that-they-won-t-achieve-t_297650.jpg" --- # The Kurds know that they won't achieve their own state by… ![“The Kurds know that they won't achieve their own state by force of arms but through international recognition. And they have certainly heard what the German foreign minister said in connection with the arms deliveries: There is no Kurdish state. But that shouldn't prevent the Kurds from continuing…” quote by Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb4/ahmed-chalabi-18859_achieve_the-kurds-know-that-they-won-t-achieve-t_297650.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb4/ahmed-chalabi-18859_achieve_the-kurds-know-that-they-won-t-achieve-t_297650.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb4/ahmed-chalabi-18859_achieve_the-kurds-know-that-they-won-t-achieve-t_297650.jpg) > “The Kurds know that they won't achieve their own state by force of arms but through international recognition. And they have certainly heard what the German foreign minister said in connection with the arms deliveries: There is no Kurdish state. But that shouldn't prevent the Kurds from continuing to develop their own institutions. Still, the best thing for them would be to remain a part of Iraq, but in return we must treat them with respect - their nationality, their language and their culture.” [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Kurds should pursue statehood through diplomatic recognition and institutional development, not armed conflict, while remaining part of Iraq with respect for their identity. **In simple terms:** Seek recognition and respect, not war, for Kurdish autonomy. Key Takeaway Pursue diplomatic paths for autonomy. Themes politics nationalism human rights Mood analytical strategic Type political diplomatic When to use this quote - peace negotiations - institution building - cultural preservation Key Concepts statehood international law cultural rights Questions to Reflect On - How can international actors support Kurdish rights? - What compromises are needed for coexistence? A Different Perspective May overlook power dynamics and regional interests. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Delivery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delivery/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Kurds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kurds/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Recognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition/) ## Related quotes > [I always tell the Kurds who defend independence: Let's say we declared the independent Kurdish state and Syria, Iran, Iraq and Turkey imposed sanctions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalal-talabani/i-always-tell-the-kurds-who-defend-independence-let-s-say-we-declared/) [Jalal Talabani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalal-talabani/) > [The Turkish government will never tolerate the creation of a Kurdish state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bergen/the-turkish-government-will-never-tolerate-the-creation-of-a-kurdish/) [Peter Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bergen/) > [We must openly call for the establishment of a Kurdish state that separates Iran from Turkey, one which will be friendly towards Israel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-shaked/we-must-openly-call-for-the-establishment-of-a-kurdish-state-that/) [Ayelet Shaked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-shaked/) > [The Kurds' achievement was outstanding, both militarily and diplomatically. European governments recognized this and abandoned their resistance to weapons deliveries. Germany, too, acted correctly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/the-kurds-achievement-was-outstanding-both-militarily-and/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [The feeling of being an Iraqi unites all ethnic groups within this country. Even the Kurds, who have traditionally pushed for their own state,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zalmay-khalilzad/the-feeling-of-being-an-iraqi-unites-all-ethnic-groups-within-this/) [Zalmay Khalilzad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zalmay-khalilzad/) > [Syria is a multi-confessional state: in addition to Sunni and Shia Muslims, there are Alawites, Orthodox and other Christian confessions, Druzes, and Kurds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-lavrov/syria-is-a-multi-confessional-state-in-addition-to-sunni-and-shia/) [Sergei Lavrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-lavrov/) > [To move any regime you need to have co-operation and co-ordination between Kurds, Shia Arabs, Sunni Arabs, the people and the army. Until we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalal-talabani/to-move-any-regime-you-need-to-have-co-operation-and-co-ordination/) [Jalal Talabani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalal-talabani/) > [Under the Assads, Kurds were forbidden from learning their own language at school, or even from speaking it in the military. The result is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-harding/under-the-assads-kurds-were-forbidden-from-learning-their-own/) [Luke Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-harding/) > [Iran is barely over 50% Persian, and Arabs, Baluchis, Azeris, Kurds and many other groups feel left out of the society. That regime has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bolton/iran-is-barely-over-50-persian-and-arabs-baluchis-azeris-kurds-and/) [John Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bolton/) > [The Kurds were the only people in Iraq who were completely unguarded in expressing their gratitude to the United States for setting them free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-noah/the-kurds-were-the-only-people-in-iraq-who-were-completely-unguarded/) [Timothy Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-noah/) > [There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Saddam Hussein had and used significant weapons of mass destruction on his own people, both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curt-weldon/there-is-absolutely-no-doubt-in-my-mind-that-saddam-hussein-had-and/) [Curt Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curt-weldon/) > [I do believe that the Kurds are in a difficult situation. They do have some American support. How consistent that will be is unclear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-landis/i-do-believe-that-the-kurds-are-in-a-difficult-situation-they-do-have/) [Joshua Landis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-landis/) > [Critics of the war plans (including myself) have pointed to the disastrous political results that must be expected: Iraq would break into three parts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uri-avnery/critics-of-the-war-plans-including-myself-have-pointed-to-the/) [Uri Avnery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uri-avnery/) > [ It cannot be an American fight. And I think what the president \[Barack Obama\] has consistently said - which I agree with - is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/it-cannot-be-an-american-fight-and-i-think-what-the-president-barack/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [The country of Iraq is somewhat of an artificial creation going back to colonial days. And so you have the Kurds and then the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-clapper/the-country-of-iraq-is-somewhat-of-an-artificial-creation-going-back/) [James Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-clapper/) ## More by Ahmed Chalabi > [We need a united front against Islamic State and Assad happens to be the decisive power that can fight them. But the situation is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/we-need-a-united-front-against-islamic-state-and-assad-happens-to-be/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [You know the most important thing the Americans did for Iraq apart from liberating the country from Saddam was helping Iraq reduce its debt.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/you-know-the-most-important-thing-the-americans-did-for-iraq-apart/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [... The meeting is called by the U.S. to give their vision of the interim Iraqi authority. It will be a one-day meeting. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/the-meeting-is-called-by-the-u-s-to-give-their-vision-of-the-interim/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [Maliki saw Islamic State as a way to exert pressure. If I am not re-elected, terror will befall you - that was his message.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/maliki-saw-islamic-state-as-a-way-to-exert-pressure-if-i-am-not-re/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [I did more than anyone else in persuading the U.S. to get rid of Saddam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/i-did-more-than-anyone-else-in-persuading-the-u-s-to-get-rid-of-saddam/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [We are not panicking because we know that Islamic State cannot conquer the capital.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/we-are-not-panicking-because-we-know-that-islamic-state-cannot/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [The view that we hold in Iraq now is this - that democracy is associated with elections. I believe that elections are possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/the-view-that-we-hold-in-iraq-now-is-this-that-democracy-is/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [All Iraqis can unite to defeat terrorism and can unite to rebuild the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/all-iraqis-can-unite-to-defeat-terrorism-and-can-unite-to-rebuild-the/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [To handle the economy and services in a country like Iraq requires delegation of authority and the choice of competent people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/to-handle-the-economy-and-services-in-a-country-like-iraq-requires/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [The battle against terrorism is not only a military fight but primarily a battle of information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/the-battle-against-terrorism-is-not-only-a-military-fight-but/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [It's customary when great events happen that the U.S. punishes its friends and rewards its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/it-s-customary-when-great-events-happen-that-the-u-s-punishes-its/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [What was said before is not important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/what-was-said-before-is-not-important/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [The issue of what my role in the - in persuading the Bush administration to go to war has been greatly exaggerated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/the-issue-of-what-my-role-in-the-in-persuading-the-bush/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [I don't think that they have many of the scientists who were involved in the weapons program to talk to at this time, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/i-don-t-think-that-they-have-many-of-the-scientists-who-were-involved/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [American companies will have a big shot at Iraqi oil,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/american-companies-will-have-a-big-shot-at-iraqi-oil/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) [Explore all 34 Ahmed Chalabi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) ## More Achieve quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. 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And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/) [Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/) > [I'm a film guy. I love it. When I read the screenplay, I knew that there would be no HD camera that could achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-taylor/i-m-a-film-guy-i-love-it-when-i-read-the-screenplay-i-knew-that-there/) Deon Taylor > [One achieves true human dignity only when one serves. Only he is great who subjects himself to taking part in the achievement of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/one-achieves-true-human-dignity-only-when-one-serves-only-he-is-great/) Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Governments follow their people. A great deal has to do with the vision of the leadership of governments. They have a vision, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-khurshid/governments-follow-their-people-a-great-deal-has-to-do-with-the/) [Salman Khurshid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-khurshid/) > [To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-achieve-victory-we-must-mass-our-forces-at-the-hub-of-all-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/if-your-only-goal-is-to-become-rich-you-will-never-achieve-it/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [To achieve something you've never achieved before, you must become someone you've never been before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shubham-joshi/to-achieve-something-you-ve-never-achieved-before-you-must-become/) [Shubham Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shubham-joshi/) > [I've identified as bisexual since I was a teenager, and if we want to achieve equality for all in our policies, we need more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-hill/i-ve-identified-as-bisexual-since-i-was-a-teenager-and-if-we-want-to/) [Katie Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-hill/) Browse all 6,390 Achieve quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Kurds know that they won't achieve their own state by force of arms but through international recognition. 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