--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do think that it is impossible for us…" description: "\"I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/barack-obama-17_afghanistan_i-do-think-that-it-is-impossible-for-us_1165017.jpg" --- # I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in… ![“I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. These things are interrelated. And if we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/barack-obama-17_afghanistan_i-do-think-that-it-is-impossible-for-us_1165017.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/barack-obama-17_afghanistan_i-do-think-that-it-is-impossible-for-us_1165017.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f79/barack-obama-17_afghanistan_i-do-think-that-it-is-impossible-for-us_1165017.jpg) > “I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. These things are interrelated. And if we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress.” [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. Regional conflicts are interconnected; addressing one requires considering others and building respectful partnerships. **In simple terms:** World issues are linked; cooperation needed. Key Takeaway Seek collaborative solutions across borders. Themes politics international relations peacebuilding Mood reflective hopeful Type political inspirational When to use this quote - diplomacy - conflict resolution - foreign policy - NGO work Key Concepts interdependence mutual respect strategic partnership Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance national interests with global cooperation? - What partnerships can you form? A Different Perspective Sovereignty concerns can hinder cooperation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afghanistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) [Arab world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arab-world/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Muslim world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muslim-world/) [Mutual interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mutual-interest/) [Mutual respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mutual-respect/) [Partnership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/partnership/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Syria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/syria/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Biden's support for Mubarak in the face of his falling regime sends a powerful and unfortunate message to the Arab world that their freedoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-grenell/biden-s-support-for-mubarak-in-the-face-of-his-falling-regime-sends-a/) [Richard Grenell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-grenell/) > [To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/to-the-muslim-world-we-seek-a-new-way-forward-based-on-mutual/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Every new president flatters himself that he, kinder and gentler, is beginning the world anew. Yet, when Barack Obama in his inaugural address reached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-krauthammer/every-new-president-flatters-himself-that-he-kinder-and-gentler-is/) [Charles Krauthammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-krauthammer/) > [There is something which is going to be one of the main challenges in the Muslim world today, in the Muslim-majority countries in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/there-is-something-which-is-going-to-be-one-of-the-main-challenges-in/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [“The Muslim world in general, the Arab world in particular was confirmed in its grievances, particularly that the West was prepared to use its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keegan/the-muslim-world-in-general-the-arab-world-in-particular-was/) [John Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keegan/) > [The primary conflict, I think, is between people whose interests are with already well-established economic activities, and those whose interests are with the emergence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/the-primary-conflict-i-think-is-between-people-whose-interests-are/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [He and I have this... personality conflict. Namely, I think he should get a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-westerfeld/he-and-i-have-this-personality-conflict-namely-i-think-he-should-get/) [Scott Westerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-westerfeld/) > [I finally did work out a very good relationship with my father, but it was rough growing up. We had a lot of conflict,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-levin/i-finally-did-work-out-a-very-good-relationship-with-my-father-but-it/) [Ira Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-levin/) > [I do not propose to solve the Israeli-Palestine conflict. But I do think the world would be a vastly safer place - and maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton-williams/i-do-not-propose-to-solve-the-israeli-palestine-conflict-but-i-do/) [Thomas Chatterton Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton-williams/) > [So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-i-have-known-islam-on-three-continents-before-coming-to-the-region/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/my-job-to-the-muslim-world-is-to-communicate-that-the-americans-are/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What I want to communicate is the fact that in all my travels throughout the Muslim world, what I've come to understand is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-i-want-to-communicate-is-the-fact-that-in-all-my-travels/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [My job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/my-job-is-to-communicate-to-the-american-people-that-the-muslim-world/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [In the Muslim world, this notion that somehow everything is the fault of the Israelis lacks balance - because there's two sides to every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/in-the-muslim-world-this-notion-that-somehow-everything-is-the-fault/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Following one of the most violent conflicts in human history, the United States and Japan built a deep and abiding friendship - an alliance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/following-one-of-the-most-violent-conflicts-in-human-history-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) ## 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 Afghanistan quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/from-the-bitter-cold-winter-at-valley-forge-to-the-mountains-of/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [They're criminals, they brutalized Afghanistan, they killed our people, they destroyed our land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-karzai/they-re-criminals-they-brutalized-afghanistan-they-killed-our-people/) [Hamid Karzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-karzai/) > [In 2001, we were told that the war in Afghanistan was a feminist mission. The marines were liberating Afghan women from the Taliban. Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/in-2001-we-were-told-that-the-war-in-afghanistan-was-a-feminist/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of tyranny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-levin/the-terrorist-attacks-of-september-11th-and-the-courageous-actions-of/) [Carl Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-levin/) > [According to a recent Harvard study, $6 trillion, when you include the ongoing healthcare expenses for our wounded soldiers, which is the least they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/according-to-a-recent-harvard-study-6-trillion-when-you-include-the/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [You don't bargain with terrorists. You don't appease terrorists. And anybody who believes that this is about something we've done has to ask themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chertoff/you-don-t-bargain-with-terrorists-you-don-t-appease-terrorists-and/) [Michael Chertoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chertoff/) > [“I stood with my mom in the cemetery. She felt terrible pain. My grandmother is with God. My mom has to continue living. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-elliot/i-stood-with-my-mom-in-the-cemetery-she-felt-terrible-pain-my/) [Tucker Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-elliot/) > [The most successful cultural diplomacy strategy integrates people-to-people or arts/culture/media-to-people interactions into the basic business of diplomacy. The programs in Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-p-schneider/the-most-successful-cultural-diplomacy-strategy-integrates-people-to/) [Cynthia P. Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-p-schneider/) > [Because Iran understands Afghanistan far better than Americans do, making Iran a partner in a long-term effort to transform Afghan agriculture makes sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/because-iran-understands-afghanistan-far-better-than-americans-do/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/thousands-of-americans-have-given-their-lives-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I have been to Afghanistan many times, even before the Taliban collapsed. I was fascinated by the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/i-have-been-to-afghanistan-many-times-even-before-the-taliban/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [There has been sort of, if you will, a moral interventionism on the part of the United States trying to reshape countries in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/there-has-been-sort-of-if-you-will-a-moral-interventionism-on-the/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The legal system in Afghanistan is very immature and porous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/the-legal-system-in-afghanistan-is-very-immature-and-porous/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) [Browse all 1,159 Afghanistan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. 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