Combination Quote by Colin Powell
![“The information that the intelligence people used was a combination of satellite information, signals intelligence, and human intelligence. We are not sure to what extent Saddam [Hussein] was trying to convey an incorrect picture to us.” quote by Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6de/colin-powell-691_combination_the-information-that-the-intelligence-pe_3021709.jpg)
“The information that the intelligence people used was a combination of satellite information, signals intelligence, and human intelligence. We are not sure to what extent Saddam [Hussein] was trying to convey an incorrect picture to us.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: United Nations Security Council, 2003
Intelligence gathering blends satellite, signals, and human sources, yet deception can cloud the picture.
In simple terms: Multiple intel sources are combined, but deception may hide truth.
Key Takeaway
Verify and cross‑check intelligence.
Themes
intelligence
deception
verification
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- military planning
- policy decisions
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
satellite imagery
signals interception
human sources
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we detect intentional misinformation?
- What safeguards improve intel reliability?
A Different Perspective
Deception can still mislead even with many sources.
![“We are not sure to what extent Saddam's [Hussein ] own people were conveying an incorrect picture to him. But this body of evidence was believed not only by President George W. Bush. President Bill Clinton used that same body of intelligence before bombing Iraq in 1998.” quote by Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cf6/colin-powell-691_bills_we-are-not-sure-to-what-extent-saddam-s_2612157.jpg)
![“Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine is too complicated for all the elements to be able to enter into the analytical comparison we wish to make, we separate the more inconvenient [elements], we…” quote by Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d9/jean-le-rond-d-alembert-26487_able_geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics_6945.jpg)
