---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Effective immediately, we will only…"
description: "\"Effective immediately, we will only pursue phone calls that are two steps removed from a number associated with a terrorist organization instead of thr..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/barack-obama-17_israel_effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursu_2508017.jpg"
---

#  Effective immediately, we will only pursue phone calls…

![“Effective immediately, we will only pursue phone calls that are two steps removed from a number associated with a terrorist organization instead of three.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/barack-obama-17_israel_effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursu_2508017.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/barack-obama-17_israel_effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursu_2508017.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/barack-obama-17_israel_effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursu_2508017.jpg)

> “Effective immediately, we will only pursue phone calls that are two steps removed from a number associated with a terrorist organization instead of three.”

[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.

Policy shifts to target phone calls only two steps removed from known terrorist numbers, tightening surveillance scope.

**In simple terms:** Focus on closer connections to terrorists.

Key Takeaway

Implement more precise monitoring.

Themes

security surveillance policy

Mood

cautious strategic

Type

policy informational

When to use this quote

- law enforcement
- intelligence analysis
- border security

Key Concepts

counterterrorism risk assessment

Questions to Reflect On

- What balance is needed between security and privacy?
- How effective is this narrower focus?

A Different Perspective

Risk of infringing civil liberties.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Phone calls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phone-calls/) [Phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phones/)

## Related quotes

> [ISIL is a terrorist organization, pure and simple, and it has no vision other than the slaughter of all who stand in its way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/isil-is-a-terrorist-organization-pure-and-simple-and-it-has-no-vision/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [One of the things we're going to have to discuss and debate is how are we striking this balance between the need to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/one-of-the-things-we-re-going-to-have-to-discuss-and-debate-is-how/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [US intelligence agencies will only use such data to meet specific security requirements: counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation, cybersecurity, force protection for our troops and allies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/us-intelligence-agencies-will-only-use-such-data-to-meet-specific/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Our intelligence agencies will continue to gather information about the intentions of governments - as opposed to ordinary citizens - around the world, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/our-intelligence-agencies-will-continue-to-gather-information-about/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [I think it's important to recognize that you can't have 100 per cent security and also then have 100 per cent privacy and zero…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-it-s-important-to-recognize-that-you-can-t-have-100-per-cent/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Granting such immunity undermines the constitutional protections Americans trust the Congress to protect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/granting-such-immunity-undermines-the-constitutional-protections/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [We need to find a way forward to make sure that we can stop terrorists while protecting the privacy, and liberty, of innocent Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-need-to-find-a-way-forward-to-make-sure-that-we-can-stop/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Our efforts will only be effective if ordinary citizens in other countries have confidence that the United States respects their privacy too. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/our-efforts-will-only-be-effective-if-ordinary-citizens-in-other/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [This Administration also puts forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand... That means no more illegal wire-tapping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/this-administration-also-puts-forward-a-false-choice-between-the/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Those who are troubled by our existing programs are not interested in a repeat of 9/11, and those who defend these programs are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/those-who-are-troubled-by-our-existing-programs-are-not-interested-in/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [So I think it's important to understand that your duly elected representatives have been consistently informed about exactly what we're doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-i-think-it-s-important-to-understand-that-your-duly-elected/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [We can give our intelligence and law enforcement community the powers they need to track down and take out terrorists without undermining our commitment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-can-give-our-intelligence-and-law-enforcement-community-the-powers/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [I don't welcome leaks. There's a reason why these programs are classified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-don-t-welcome-leaks-there-s-a-reason-why-these-programs-are/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [The program grew out of a desire to address a gap identified after 9/11 ... The program does not involve the NSA examining the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-program-grew-out-of-a-desire-to-address-a-gap-identified-after-9/)

[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/)

## 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 Israel quotes

> [Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/humanitarian-goods-and-people-must-flow-in-both-directions-gaza/)

[David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/)

> [We could form a government of national unity fighting corruption. The ordinary Afghan is sick and tired of it, because it's she or he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashraf-ghani/we-could-form-a-government-of-national-unity-fighting-corruption-the/)

[Ashraf Ghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashraf-ghani/)

> [The Iranian people have a proud past. They merit a great future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/the-iranian-people-have-a-proud-past-they-merit-a-great-future/)

[Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/)

> [In the Green Zone in Iraq you have your radio, you have your food, you have your own electricity, your own toilets. Everything is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-colla/in-the-green-zone-in-iraq-you-have-your-radio-you-have-your-food-you/)

[Elliott Colla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-colla/)

> [ \[Islam\] Leaves no room of human legislation in an Islamic state, because herein all legislative functions vest in God and the only function left… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abul-a-la-maududi/islam-leaves-no-room-of-human-legislation-in-an-islamic-state-because/)

[Abul A'la Maududi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abul-a-la-maududi/)

> [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 am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/)

[Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/)

> [On the McLaughlin Report, August 26, 1990: 'There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the middle East, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/on-the-mclaughlin-report-august-26-1990-there-are-only-two-groups/)

[Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/)

> [“Hitler invaded Poland on 1 September 1939. Much to the bafflement of the Allies, however, Pope Pius XII said nothing. He refused to condemn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyrus-shahrad/hitler-invaded-poland-on-1-september-1939-much-to-the-bafflement-of/)

[Cyrus Shahrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyrus-shahrad/)

> [A strong, responsible Israel can become a stabilizer in such a turbulent region.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-barak/a-strong-responsible-israel-can-become-a-stabilizer-in-such-a/)

[Ehud Barak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-barak/)

> [Iranians hate Arabs. They're a fairly well-educated population and they have centuries of experience with self-government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ledeen/iranians-hate-arabs-they-re-a-fairly-well-educated-population-and/)

[Michael Ledeen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ledeen/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/)

[Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/)

> [I am a peace supporting Jew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/i-am-a-peace-supporting-jew/)

[Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/)

> [All Germany was in turmoil. Revolutionaries seized power in the cities of Munich, Hanover and Cologne. One regional German government after another was toppled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cross-giblin/all-germany-was-in-turmoil-revolutionaries-seized-power-in-the-cities/)

James Cross Giblin

[Browse all 16,724 Israel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Effective immediately, we will only pursue phone calls that are two steps removed from a number associated with a terrorist organization instead of three.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Barack Obama"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursue-phone-calls-that-are-two/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Israel"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursue-phone-calls-that-are-two/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/barack-obama-17_israel_effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursu_2508017.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/barack-obama-17_israel_effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursu_2508017.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/barack-obama-17_israel_effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursu_2508017.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Effective immediately, we will only pursue phone calls that are two steps removed from a number associated…” — Barack Obama",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Barack Obama",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Effective immediately, we will only pursue...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursue-phone-calls-that-are-two/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/effective-immediately-we-will-only-pursue-phone-calls-that-are-two/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
