--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is absolutely important that we have a…" description: "\"It is absolutely important that we have a unified alliance and that we explain to the Russians that you cannot be a 21st-century superpower, or power, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/barack-obama-17_dictatorship_it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have_3015054.jpg" --- # It is absolutely important that we have a unified alliance… ![“It is absolutely important that we have a unified alliance and that we explain to the Russians that you cannot be a 21st-century superpower, or power, and act like a 20th-century dictatorship.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/barack-obama-17_dictatorship_it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have_3015054.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/barack-obama-17_dictatorship_it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have_3015054.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/barack-obama-17_dictatorship_it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have_3015054.jpg) > “It is absolutely important that we have a unified alliance and that we explain to the Russians that you cannot be a 21st-century superpower, or power, and act like a 20th-century dictatorship.” [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 Obama urges a modern alliance, warning Russia against outdated authoritarian tactics. **In simple terms:** He calls for a unified front and modern governance. Key Takeaway Promote collaborative, forward‑thinking policies. Themes diplomacy geopolitics modernization Mood strategic hopeful Type political inspirational When to use this quote - UN negotiations - bilateral talks - policy formulation - strategic planning Key Concepts global alliances authoritarianism 21st‑century power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What strategies can strengthen modern alliances? - How to address entrenched authoritarian habits? A Different Perspective Rival nations may resist change despite pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolutely Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolutely-important-3006081/) [Century Dictatorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/century-dictatorship-4852640/) [Century Superpower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/century-superpower-4852639/) [Dictatorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictatorship/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Important Unified](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-unified-4852637/) [Russia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russia/) [Superpower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superpower/) [Unified Alliance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unified-alliance-4852638/) ## Related quotes > [Absolutely nothing is so important for a nation's culture as its language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/absolutely-nothing-is-so-important-for-a-nation-s-culture-as-its/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [When people ask me what really changed my life, I tell them that absolutely the most important thing was changing what I demanded on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/when-people-ask-me-what-really-changed-my-life-i-tell-them-that/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Telling the truth is absolutely important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-karl/telling-the-truth-is-absolutely-important/) [Jonathan Karl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-karl/) > [“Absolutely nothing is as important as knowing who to trust.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radovan-kavick/absolutely-nothing-is-as-important-as-knowing-who-to-trust/) [Radovan Kavický](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radovan-kavick/) > [Marriage is absolutely something that's important to me. It's the ultimate symbolic step in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gigi-gorgeous/marriage-is-absolutely-something-that-s-important-to-me-it-s-the/) [Gigi Gorgeous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gigi-gorgeous/) > [The radio show is absolutely the most important thing. It always comes first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-bones/the-radio-show-is-absolutely-the-most-important-thing-it-always-comes/) [Bobby Bones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-bones/) > [Whether we like it or not, we remain a dominant military superpower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/whether-we-like-it-or-not-we-remain-a-dominant-military-superpower/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [A number of countries, including some who have loudly criticized the NSA, privately acknowledge that America has special responsibilities as the world's only superpower,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/a-number-of-countries-including-some-who-have-loudly-criticized-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [In recent years, we've become enamored with our own past success. Lulled into complacency by the glitter of our own achievements. We've become accustomed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/in-recent-years-we-ve-become-enamored-with-our-own-past-success/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [With respect to Russia, my principal approach to Russia has been constant since I first came into office. Russia is an important country. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/with-respect-to-russia-my-principal-approach-to-russia-has-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“I can take two people, throw a world of obstacles at them, defy the odds, and still give them a happily-ever-after. Together. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-moran/i-can-take-two-people-throw-a-world-of-obstacles-at-them-defy-the/) [Kelly Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-moran/) > [If I had a superpower, it would be to teleport. The idea of seeing the world in one day is exciting, but the thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colton-underwood/if-i-had-a-superpower-it-would-be-to-teleport-the-idea-of-seeing-the/) [Colton Underwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colton-underwood/) > [The superpowers often behave like two heavily armed blind men feeling their way around a room, each believing himself in mortal peril from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-superpowers-often-behave-like-two-heavily-armed-blind-men-feeling/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Batman doesn't have any superpowers. He's not superhuman. He's not super. So therefore he can't be a superhero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-silvey/batman-doesn-t-have-any-superpowers-he-s-not-superhuman-he-s-not/) [Craig Silvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-silvey/) > [My dreams were always small and puny. All I ever needed was a little house with a little picket fence by the sea. Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-marcos/my-dreams-were-always-small-and-puny-all-i-ever-needed-was-a-little/) [Imelda Marcos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-marcos/) ## 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 Dictatorship quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Dictatorship is rule based directly upon force and unrestricted by any laws. The revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat is rule won and maintained by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/dictatorship-is-rule-based-directly-upon-force-and-unrestricted-by/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [I was born in Cuba. At the age of 14 years of age I was involved in a revolution. We were suffering from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-was-born-in-cuba-at-the-age-of-14-years-of-age-i-was-involved-in-a/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [The situation with Tibet has to change. China is one of the last huge dictatorships, holding on to these colonies, provinces. That has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-yauch/the-situation-with-tibet-has-to-change-china-is-one-of-the-last-huge/) [Adam Yauch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-yauch/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“. Despite the considerable horror they had felt when the SA men were bellowing crude anti-Semitic slogans, in retrospect the joke-tellers were very much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolph-herzog/despite-the-considerable-horror-they-had-felt-when-the-sa-men-were/) [Rudolph Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolph-herzog/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The dictatorship of the proletariat and the leadership of the Marxist-Leninist party are indispensable conditions for the triumph of the Socialist revolution and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-khrushchev/the-dictatorship-of-the-proletariat-and-the-leadership-of-the-marxist/) [Nikita Khrushchev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-khrushchev/) > [I never thought about becoming a politician. But during the military dictatorship, my grandfather was put in prison six times and my father twice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-papandreou/i-never-thought-about-becoming-a-politician-but-during-the-military/) [George Papandreou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-papandreou/) > [ “\[...\] dictatorship, the most extreme form of tyranny, can never lead to social liberation.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/dictatorship-the-most-extreme-form-of-tyranny-can-never-lead-to/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I'm not a prophet, but I always thought it was natural for dictatorships to fall. I remember in 1989, two months before the fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/i-m-not-a-prophet-but-i-always-thought-it-was-natural-for/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [In many ways, the media today makes dictatorship impossible. But it also makes democracy intolerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/in-many-ways-the-media-today-makes-dictatorship-impossible-but-it/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [“Your law always does more harm than crime, and your morality is a form of violence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bond/your-law-always-does-more-harm-than-crime-and-your-morality-is-a-form/) [Edward Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bond/) > [Something that comes to us, some gym shoe that comes to us as a result of child labor from a brutal dictatorship, where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/something-that-comes-to-us-some-gym-shoe-that-comes-to-us-as-a-result/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) [Browse all 793 Dictatorship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictatorship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is absolutely important that we have a unified alliance and that we explain to the Russians that you cannot be a 21st-century superpower, or power, and act like a 20th-century dictatorship.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barack Obama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have-a-unified-alliance-and-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dictatorship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have-a-unified-alliance-and-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/barack-obama-17_dictatorship_it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have_3015054.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/barack-obama-17_dictatorship_it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have_3015054.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/barack-obama-17_dictatorship_it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have_3015054.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is absolutely important that we have a unified alliance and that we explain to the Russians that you…” — 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": "It is absolutely important that we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have-a-unified-alliance-and-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-is-absolutely-important-that-we-have-a-unified-alliance-and-that/#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 } } ] } ```