--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And, as a consequence of the pressure…" description: "\"And, as a consequence of the pressure that we've applied over the last couple of weeks, we have Syria -- for the first time -- acknowledging that it ha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/barack-obama-17_chemical-weapons_and-as-a-consequence-of-the-pressure-tha_2364658.jpg" --- # And, as a consequence of the pressure that we've applied… ![“And, as a consequence of the pressure that we've applied over the last couple of weeks, we have Syria -- for the first time -- acknowledging that it has chemical weapons, agreeing to join the convention that prohibits the use of chemical weapons, and the Russians -- their primary sponsors…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/barack-obama-17_chemical-weapons_and-as-a-consequence-of-the-pressure-tha_2364658.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/barack-obama-17_chemical-weapons_and-as-a-consequence-of-the-pressure-tha_2364658.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/barack-obama-17_chemical-weapons_and-as-a-consequence-of-the-pressure-tha_2364658.jpg) > “And, as a consequence of the pressure that we've applied over the last couple of weeks, we have Syria -- for the first time -- acknowledging that it has chemical weapons, agreeing to join the convention that prohibits the use of chemical weapons, and the Russians -- their primary sponsors -- saying that they will push Syria to get all of their chemical weapons out. The distance that we've traveled over these couple of weeks is remarkable.” [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Obama highlights diplomatic progress on Syria’s chemical weapons, noting both Syrian acknowledgment and Russian pressure to disarm. **In simple terms:** Diplomacy can compel compliance from hostile regimes. Key Takeaway Leverage international pressure to enforce norms. Themes diplomacy non‑proliferation conflict resolution Mood optimistic strategic Type political inspirational When to use this quote - UN negotiations - peace talks - policy advocacy Key Concepts chemical weapons international law sanctions Questions to Reflect On - How can the international community ensure compliance? - What role should sanctions play? A Different Perspective Implementation depends on verification and enforcement mechanisms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chemical weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chemical-weapons/) [Civility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civility/) [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Couple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couple/) [Diplomacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diplomacy/) [Foreign policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foreign-policy/) [Human rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-rights/) [Ideology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideology/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Syria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/syria/) [Terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism/) [Unity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unity/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/) ## Related quotes > [Israel produces and stores chemical weapons. So therefore the US will prevent the Chemical Weapons Convention from being imposed on the Middle East. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/israel-produces-and-stores-chemical-weapons-so-therefore-the-us-will/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [My goal is to maintain the international norm on banning chemical weapons. I want that enforcement to be real. I want it to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/my-goal-is-to-maintain-the-international-norm-on-banning-chemical/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I would have I think made a bigger mistake if I had said, "Eh, chemical weapons. That doesn't really change my calculus." I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-would-have-i-think-made-a-bigger-mistake-if-i-had-said-eh-chemical/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I don't regret at all saying that if I saw Bashar al-Assad using chemical weapons on his people that that would change my assessments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-don-t-regret-at-all-saying-that-if-i-saw-bashar-al-assad-using/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ What is true is \[Bashar\] Assad got rid of his chemical weapons. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-is-true-is-bashar-assad-got-rid-of-his-chemical-weapons/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ If 90 percent or 95 percent of those - chemical stockpiles \[in Syria\] were eliminated, that's a lot of chemical weapons that are not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/if-90-percent-or-95-percent-of-those-chemical-stockpiles-in-syria/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. And for them to be able to provide nuclear technology to non-state actors, that's unacceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/iran-is-a-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-and-for-them-to-be-able-to/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [But the question is, do we care enough? Do we care enough to keep standing up for the country that we know is possible,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/but-the-question-is-do-we-care-enough-do-we-care-enough-to-keep/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Ultimately, only diplomacy can bring about a durable solution to the challenge posed by Iran's nuclear program. As President and Commander in Chief, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/ultimately-only-diplomacy-can-bring-about-a-durable-solution-to-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I do not accept that we cannot find a common sense way to preserve our traditions, including our basic second amendment freedoms and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-do-not-accept-that-we-cannot-find-a-common-sense-way-to-preserve/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I believe that if we stop talking at one another and start talking with one another, we can get a lot done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-believe-that-if-we-stop-talking-at-one-another-and-start-talking/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Our tears are not enough. Our words and our prayers are not enough. If we really want to honor these twelve men and women,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/our-tears-are-not-enough-our-words-and-our-prayers-are-not-enough-if/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Civility also requires relearning how to disagree without being disagreeable. Surely you can question my policies without questioning my faith or, for that matter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/civility-also-requires-relearning-how-to-disagree-without-being/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I am the eternal optimist. I think that, over time, people respond to civility and -- and rational argument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-am-the-eternal-optimist-i-think-that-over-time-people-respond-to/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Sanctions alone could not stop Iran's nuclear program. But they did help bring Iran to the negotiating table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/sanctions-alone-could-not-stop-iran-s-nuclear-program-but-they-did/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by Barack Obama > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/donald-trump-is-temperamentally-unfit/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What we've said to the girls is: 'If you guys ever decide that you're going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-we-ve-said-to-the-girls-is-if-you-guys-ever-decide-that-you-re/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The world is complicated and full of grays, but there's still truth there to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-world-is-complicated-and-full-of-grays-but-there-s-still-truth/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We had a farewell dinner for some of my senior staff, and generally everybody likes to talk about how cool I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-had-a-farewell-dinner-for-some-of-my-senior-staff-and-generally/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ It's good to get fresh legs in \[the White house\]. I think that it refreshes our democracy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-good-to-get-fresh-legs-in-the-white-house-i-think-that-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Believe it or not, entertainment is part of our American diplomacy, it is part of what makes us exceptional, part of what makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/believe-it-or-not-entertainment-is-part-of-our-american-diplomacy-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Explore all 3,624 Barack Obama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More Chemical weapons quotes > [I come to this debate, Mr. Speaker, as one at the end of 10 years in office on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-come-to-this-debate-mr-speaker-as-one-at-the-end-of-10-years-in/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-byrd/the-last-un-weapons-inspectors-left-iraq-in-october-of-1998-we-are/) [Robert Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-byrd/) > [My goal is to maintain the international norm on banning chemical weapons. I want that enforcement to be real. I want it to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/my-goal-is-to-maintain-the-international-norm-on-banning-chemical/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Under Saddam Hussein, the nation of Iraq possessed and used chemical weapons against both their own Kurdish population and Iranian military forces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/under-saddam-hussein-the-nation-of-iraq-possessed-and-used-chemical/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [The United States, a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, destroyed the last of its stocks of VX and other chemical agents on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/the-united-states-a-signatory-to-the-chemical-weapons-convention/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) > [Who cares how we avoided a war and got a dictator to give up his chemical weapons if we avoided a war and got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/who-cares-how-we-avoided-a-war-and-got-a-dictator-to-give-up-his/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [Weapons of mass destruction - nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons - are just that, and no cause can excuse their use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/weapons-of-mass-destruction-nuclear-biological-and-chemical-weapons/) [Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/) > [I believe that the topic of chemical weapons is critically important for international peace and security, and I take note of the ongoing debate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/i-believe-that-the-topic-of-chemical-weapons-is-critically-important/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lieberman/every-day-saddam-remains-in-power-with-chemical-weapons-biological/) [Joe Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lieberman/) > [ For example, the use of chemical weapons \[in Syria\]- some on the Democrat side have said well, this encourages the North Koreans to use… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/for-example-the-use-of-chemical-weapons-in-syria-some-on-the-democrat/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-waxman/he-has-systematically-violated-over-the-course-of-the-past-11-years/) [Henry Waxman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-waxman/) > [Not all G8 members take the view that chemical weapons were in fact used by the Syrian Army. Some actually agree with us that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/not-all-g8-members-take-the-view-that-chemical-weapons-were-in-fact/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [ Actually, he gave false evidence \[of chemical weapons\]. In this case,\[John\] Kerry didn't even present any evidence. He talked "we have evidence" and he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bashar-al-assad/actually-he-gave-false-evidence-of-chemical-weapons-in-this-case-john/) [Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bashar-al-assad/) > [“Evolution is messy. Oftentimes our brains evolve more quickly than our capacity to love. Science has unlocked many mysteries of the universe by harnessing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-main/evolution-is-messy-oftentimes-our-brains-evolve-more-quickly-than-our/) [Darren Main](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-main/) > [Any use of chemical weapons, by anyone, under any circumstances, is a grave violation of the 1925 Protocol and other relevant rules of customary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/any-use-of-chemical-weapons-by-anyone-under-any-circumstances-is-a/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) [Browse all 126 Chemical weapons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chemical-weapons/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "And, as a consequence of the pressure that we've applied over the last couple of weeks, we have Syria -- for the first time -- acknowledging that it has chemical weapons, agreeing to join the convention that prohibits the use of chemical weapons, and the Russians -- their primary sponsors -- saying that they will push Syria to get all of their chemical weapons out. 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