--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What we can do is make sure that…" description: "\"What we can do is make sure that Afghanistan is not a safe haven for Al Qaeda. What we can do it make sure that it is not destabilizing neighboring Pak..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/barack-obama-17_afghanistan_what-we-can-do-is-make-sure-that-afghani_1821990.jpg" --- # What we can do is make sure that Afghanistan is not a safe… ![“What we can do is make sure that Afghanistan is not a safe haven for Al Qaeda. What we can do it make sure that it is not destabilizing neighboring Pakistan, which has nuclear weapons. The key is we’ve got to have a clear objective...” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/barack-obama-17_afghanistan_what-we-can-do-is-make-sure-that-afghani_1821990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/barack-obama-17_afghanistan_what-we-can-do-is-make-sure-that-afghani_1821990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/barack-obama-17_afghanistan_what-we-can-do-is-make-sure-that-afghani_1821990.jpg) > “What we can do is make sure that Afghanistan is not a safe haven for Al Qaeda. What we can do it make sure that it is not destabilizing neighboring Pakistan, which has nuclear weapons. The key is we’ve got to have a clear objective...” [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. U.S. must prevent Afghanistan from being a haven for Al Qaeda and avoid destabilizing nuclear‑armed Pakistan. **In simple terms:** Stop terrorism bases and keep regional stability. Key Takeaway Maintain clear, focused foreign policy. Themes security terrorism geopolitics Mood serious determined Type political strategic When to use this quote - military strategy - diplomatic negotiations - counterterrorism operations Key Concepts deterrence regional stability Questions to Reflect On - What clear objectives guide this policy? - How to protect Pakistan’s nuclear safety? A Different Perspective Balancing security and regional politics is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afghanistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) [Afghanistan Safe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan-safe-1931648/) [Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/als/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Havens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/havens/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys/) [Neighboring Pakistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighboring-pakistan-2200964/) [Nuclear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear/) [Nuclear weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear-weapons/) [Objectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectives/) [Pakistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pakistan/) [Safe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe/) [Safe haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe-haven/) [Sure Afghanistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sure-afghanistan-2200965/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [Right now we're on the President Obama plan, and we'll stay with that. And from my perspective, the reason we're there is to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mullen/right-now-we-re-on-the-president-obama-plan-and-we-ll-stay-with-that/) [Michael Mullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mullen/) > [Afghanistan must never again be a safe haven for terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-gillard/afghanistan-must-never-again-be-a-safe-haven-for-terrorism/) [Julia Gillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-gillard/) > [Because of you, in Afghanistan we've broken the momentum of the Taliban. Because of you, we've begun a transition to the Afghans that will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/because-of-you-in-afghanistan-we-ve-broken-the-momentum-of-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Afghanistan has safe zones... so it's possible to send grown-ups back to that country. We can't empty Afghanistan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erna-solberg/afghanistan-has-safe-zones-so-it-s-possible-to-send-grown-ups-back-to/) [Erna Solberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erna-solberg/) > [The mission - the overall mission is to dismantle and defeat and disrupt al-Qaeda. But we have to make sure there's not a safe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mullen/the-mission-the-overall-mission-is-to-dismantle-and-defeat-and/) [Michael Mullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mullen/) > [In terms of Iraq, al Qaeda valued Iraq because we destroyed a government it wanted destroyed and because we put soldiers on the ground…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scheuer/in-terms-of-iraq-al-qaeda-valued-iraq-because-we-destroyed-a/) [Michael Scheuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scheuer/) > [Iraq, for the first time, gives al Qaeda and its allies contiguous safe-haven territory to train and launch attacks into the Levant. First into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scheuer/iraq-for-the-first-time-gives-al-qaeda-and-its-allies-contiguous-safe/) [Michael Scheuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scheuer/) > [This is a core principle of my presidency - if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/this-is-a-core-principle-of-my-presidency-if-you-threaten-america-you/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ I believe we \[americans\] are strongest as a nation, when the president and Congress work together. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-believe-we-americans-are-strongest-as-a-nation-when-the-president/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [When we helped prevent the massacre of civilians trapped on a distant mountain, here's what one of them said: "We owe our American friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/when-we-helped-prevent-the-massacre-of-civilians-trapped-on-a-distant/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Isil poses a threat to the people of Iraq and Syria, and the broader Middle East - including American citizens, personnel and facilities. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/isil-poses-a-threat-to-the-people-of-iraq-and-syria-and-the-broader/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Our priority is to go after ISIL. And so what we have said is that we are not engaging in a military action against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/our-priority-is-to-go-after-isil-and-so-what-we-have-said-is-that-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [This counter-terrorism campaign will be waged through a steady, relentless effort to take out Isil wherever they exist, using our air power and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/this-counter-terrorism-campaign-will-be-waged-through-a-steady/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We will send an additional 475 service members to Iraq. As I have said before, these American forces will not have a combat mission…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-will-send-an-additional-475-service-members-to-iraq-as-i-have-said/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Let's make two things clear: Isil is not "Islamic." No religion condones the killing of innocents, and the vast majority of Isil's victims have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/let-s-make-two-things-clear-isil-is-not-islamic-no-religion-condones/) [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 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": "What we can do is make sure that Afghanistan is not a safe haven for Al Qaeda. 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