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Acting Quote by Colin Powell

“It remains our policy to change the regime until such time as the regime changes itself. So far, we cannot be sure that he is cooperating or he [Saddam Hussein] is acting in a way that could give us comfort, or should give the international community comfort, that he is giving up his weapons of…” quote by Colin Powell
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“It remains our policy to change the regime until such time as the regime changes itself. So far, we cannot be sure that he is cooperating or he [Saddam Hussein] is acting in a way that could give us comfort, or should give the international community comfort, that he is giving up his weapons of mass destruction. He continues to give us statements that suggest he is not in possession of weapons of mass destruction when we know he is.”

Colin Powell

About This Quote

Source Speech: United Nations Security Council, 2003

The speaker asserts that policy will keep pressuring a regime until it changes on its own, despite doubts about its cooperation regarding weapons of mass destruction.

In simple terms: Policy will keep pressuring until the regime changes itself.

Key Takeaway

Maintain pressure until genuine compliance.

Themes

politics security policy trust weapon proliferation international relations

Mood

cautious serious strategic

Type

political analytical

When to use this quote

  • diplomatic negotiations
  • UN resolutions
  • sanctions enforcement
  • intelligence assessments

Key Concepts

deterrence regime change verification confidence building

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can pressure be balanced with incentives?
  • What evidence is needed to verify compliance?
A Different Perspective

Policy may backfire if pressure leads to further entrenchment.

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