Acquire Quote by Ashraf Ghani
“We are organized by territories, whereas terrorists are organized into networks. States are very slow and terrorists are extremely fast. Intelligence sharing needs to expand beyond the regional and become global and not country-focused. We need to acquire speed and agility.”
About This Quote
The quote contrasts the hierarchical, territorial structure of nation‑states with the fluid, networked nature of terrorist groups, arguing that security agencies must adopt faster, globally coordinated intelligence to match the agility of non‑state actors.
In simple terms: State vs. terrorist organization speed
Key Takeaway
Adopt global, agile intelligence networks
Themes
Security
Governance
Terrorism
Intelligence
Speed
Network Theory
Mood
Urgent
Strategic
Critical
Type
Analytical
Policy
Strategic
When to use this quote
- Counter‑terrorism planning
- International security conferences
- Policy drafting for intelligence reform
- Joint multinational operations
- Crisis response drills
Key Concepts
Territorial organization
Networked threats
Information sharing
Strategic agility
Practical Applications
- Redesigning intelligence sharing platforms
- Implementing rapid decision‑making protocols
Questions to Reflect On
- How can states balance speed with accountability?
- What mechanisms ensure global intelligence sharing respects sovereignty?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that centralization can improve coordination, but it may also create bottlenecks and reduce local responsiveness.
![“What is common among all of these groups [Taliban, Islamic State etc.] is the intent to destroy. The majority of terrorists who come to Afghanistan are from China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or North Africa. They were expelled from their countries and pushed to ours…” quote by Ashraf Ghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/61f/ashraf-ghani-4964_afghanistan_what-is-common-among-all-of-these-groups_168085.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
