--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In both Burma and Laos, we have engaged…" description: "\"In both Burma and Laos, we have engaged countries that were once adversaries, and will continue to do so in ways that promote good relations, developme..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/ben-rhodes-7180_good_in-both-burma-and-laos-we-have-engaged-c_1321913.jpg" --- # In both Burma and Laos, we have engaged countries that… ![“In both Burma and Laos, we have engaged countries that were once adversaries, and will continue to do so in ways that promote good relations, development, and human rights.” quote by Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/ben-rhodes-7180_good_in-both-burma-and-laos-we-have-engaged-c_1321913.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/ben-rhodes-7180_good_in-both-burma-and-laos-we-have-engaged-c_1321913.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/ben-rhodes-7180_good_in-both-burma-and-laos-we-have-engaged-c_1321913.jpg) > “In both Burma and Laos, we have engaged countries that were once adversaries, and will continue to do so in ways that promote good relations, development, and human rights.” [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Former rivals can become partners, fostering peace, development, and human rights through cooperation. **In simple terms:** Enemies can become allies. Key Takeaway Support collaborative diplomacy. Themes international relations peacebuilding development human rights Mood hopeful strategic Type policy inspirational When to use this quote - joint projects - regional forums - trade agreements - NGO partnerships Key Concepts geopolitics conflict resolution Questions to Reflect On - How can trust be built? - What mechanisms ensure lasting cooperation? A Different Perspective Historical grievances can resurface. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-rights/) [Laos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laos/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) ## Related quotes > [A critical part of our relationship with Laos involves addressing the legacy of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/a-critical-part-of-our-relationship-with-laos-involves-addressing-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Anthony Bourdain was the one who hooked me on Laos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/anthony-bourdain-was-the-one-who-hooked-me-on-laos/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Laos is a deeply Buddhist country, and my visit included a traditional Tak Bat ceremony, in which you get up at sunrise and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/laos-is-a-deeply-buddhist-country-and-my-visit-included-a-traditional/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Laos is the ghost of American military interventions past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/laos-is-the-ghost-of-american-military-interventions-past/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Lao Tsu says the way of life is ancient, timeless. It is existence which he calls the Tao - a mysterious source, beyond understanding,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/lao-tsu-says-the-way-of-life-is-ancient-timeless-it-is-existence/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“He showed me how...See, he says he's going up through Laos, then into Burma, and then some other country, I forget, and then India…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/he-showed-me-how-see-he-says-he-s-going-up-through-laos-then-into/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [If you are interested in Taoism, I would suggest that you read the Way of Life by Lao Tsu, the founder of Taoism. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-are-interested-in-taoism-i-would-suggest-that-you-read-the-way/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The disciples were absorbed in a discussion of Lao-Tzu's dictum: "Those who know, do not say; Those who say, do not know." When the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/the-disciples-were-absorbed-in-a-discussion-of-lao-tzu-s-dictum-those/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [“For the Christian tradition, the heart’s true home is a life rooted in the love of God. Like Lao-tzu and Dorothy both, Christian wisdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-wilson-hartgrove/for-the-christian-tradition-the-heart-s-true-home-is-a-life-rooted-in/) [Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-wilson-hartgrove/) > [I went to Ft Bragg and learned that Delta was indeed gearing up for the rescue. 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Pol…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-si-predstavlja-sem-v-prvi-zarji-e-ves-zjagan-razpredal-romani/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Part of the population of Laos lives in urban centers, Vientiane being the largest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/part-of-the-population-of-laos-lives-in-urban-centers-vientiane-being/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Great master Lao Tzu says that 'The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/great-master-lao-tzu-says-that-the-master-has-no-possessions-the-more/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Change your thoughts, change your life. —LAO TZU When I was fighting depression, I remember hearing this expression and not understanding it at first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/change-your-thoughts-change-your-life-lao-tzu-when-i-was-fighting/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) ## More by Ben Rhodes > [As people who know me know, probably to a fault, I am usually not without thoughts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/as-people-who-know-me-know-probably-to-a-fault-i-am-usually-not/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [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/) > [Our Cuba policy was a major obstacle to getting things done in the hemisphere and a source of tension around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/our-cuba-policy-was-a-major-obstacle-to-getting-things-done-in-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Americans will forever be proud of the brave men and women of our armed forces who served in World War II, and we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/americans-will-forever-be-proud-of-the-brave-men-and-women-of-our/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [I found people I really wanted to work for; I made myself available to do whatever I could with the skills I had; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/i-found-people-i-really-wanted-to-work-for-i-made-myself-available-to/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Irrespective of our foreign policies, for decades, other nations and peoples could see, in the United States, a strong democracy that could maintain social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/irrespective-of-our-foreign-policies-for-decades-other-nations-and/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > ['Make America great again,' is not that different from Putin's nostalgia for the Soviet Union or tsarist Russia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/make-america-great-again-is-not-that-different-from-putin-s-nostalgia/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [The Benghazi attack was one of the more confusing, chaotic days that we had at work because you had these multiple violent protests taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/the-benghazi-attack-was-one-of-the-more-confusing-chaotic-days-that/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Our basic assessment was that if America keeps going down these rabbit holes in the Middle East, we're just going to put ourselves out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/our-basic-assessment-was-that-if-america-keeps-going-down-these/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [To be sure, the United States will be eternally proud of our civilian leaders and the men and women of our armed forces who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/to-be-sure-the-united-states-will-be-eternally-proud-of-our-civilian/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Since taking office, President Obama has pursued a policy that focused more American resources and engagement in the Asia-Pacific, a region that will increasingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/since-taking-office-president-obama-has-pursued-a-policy-that-focused/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [The fact that there were discreet channels of communication established with Iran in 2012 is something that we confirmed publicly. 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