--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We now believe it is appropriate for…" description: "\"We now believe it is appropriate for Saddam Hussein to be forced to change, either by the threat of war, and therefore that compels him to cooperate. I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f3/colin-powell-691_appropriate_we-now-believe-it-is-appropriate-for-sad_249340.jpg" --- # We now believe it is appropriate for Saddam Hussein to be… ![“We now believe it is appropriate for Saddam Hussein to be forced to change, either by the threat of war, and therefore that compels him to cooperate. If he cooperates, then the basis of changed regime policy has shifted because his regime has, in fact, changed its policy to one of cooperation. So…” quote by Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f3/colin-powell-691_appropriate_we-now-believe-it-is-appropriate-for-sad_249340.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f3/colin-powell-691_appropriate_we-now-believe-it-is-appropriate-for-sad_249340.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f3/colin-powell-691_appropriate_we-now-believe-it-is-appropriate-for-sad_249340.jpg) > “We now believe it is appropriate for Saddam Hussein to be forced to change, either by the threat of war, and therefore that compels him to cooperate. If he cooperates, then the basis of changed regime policy has shifted because his regime has, in fact, changed its policy to one of cooperation. So if he cooperates, then that is different than if he does not cooperate.” [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Powell argues that coercive pressure can compel a hostile leader to cooperate, changing the policy landscape. **In simple terms:** Threats can force cooperation, altering policy. Key Takeaway Use strategic pressure to achieve diplomatic goals. Themes politics coercion policy leadership diplomacy Mood analytical cautious Type strategic policy-oriented When to use this quote - negotiations - sanctions - military deterrence - conflict resolution Key Concepts realpolitik strategic communication international relations Questions to Reflect On - When does pressure become counterproductive? - What alternatives exist to compel cooperation? A Different Perspective Coercion may breed resentment and long‑term instability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appropriate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appropriate/) [Appropriate Saddam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appropriate-saddam-2482988/) [Bases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bases/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Changed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changed/) [Changed Regime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changed-regime-2482985/) [Cooperates Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooperates-different-2482987/) [Cooperation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooperation/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Hussein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hussein/) [Hussein Forced](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hussein-forced-2482986/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy/) [Regimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regimes/) [Saddam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saddam/) [Saddam hussein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saddam-hussein/) [Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [ It was President \[Bill\] Clinton and the United States congress in 1998 which said that the regime has to be changed because the regime… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/it-was-president-bill-clinton-and-the-united-states-congress-in-1998/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [We know that Saddam Hussein is determined to keep his weapons of mass destruction, is determined to make more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/we-know-that-saddam-hussein-is-determined-to-keep-his-weapons-of-mass/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [ I don't think anyone would disagree with the conclusion that Saddam \[Hussein\] was a terrible dictator. He had gassed his own people and his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/i-don-t-think-anyone-would-disagree-with-the-conclusion-that-saddam/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [There can be no doubt that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/there-can-be-no-doubt-that-saddam-hussein-has-biological-weapons-and/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [The burden is on Saddam Hussein. And our policy, our national policy - not the UN policy but our national policy - is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/the-burden-is-on-saddam-hussein-and-our-policy-our-national-policy/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [I can think of nothing that Saddam Hussein can do diplomatically (to avoid war). I think that time is now over. He's had his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/i-can-think-of-nothing-that-saddam-hussein-can-do-diplomatically-to/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/it-remains-our-policy-to-change-the-regime-until-such-time-as-the/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [The person who will decide whether or not there will be war or peace is Saddam Hussein, and all he has to do is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/the-person-who-will-decide-whether-or-not-there-will-be-war-or-peace/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [There's no doubt in my mind, though, that the Iraqi people would be better off with a different leader who did not waste their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/there-s-no-doubt-in-my-mind-though-that-the-iraqi-people-would-be/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [He (Saddam Hussein) has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/he-saddam-hussein-has-not-developed-any-significant-capability-with/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [I think all of the attention of the world, to include the attention of the Arab world, should be on Saddam Hussein and whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/i-think-all-of-the-attention-of-the-world-to-include-the-attention-of/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [ \[Saddam Hussein\] could have easily reconstituted a program. He was a threat to peace before we went in. He'd have been a threat to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/saddam-hussein-could-have-easily-reconstituted-a-program-he-was-a/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-british-government-has-learned-that-saddam-hussein-recently/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [We are well aware that he spent many hours recently tape recording various messages... we need to do a little more analysis of what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-hoon/we-are-well-aware-that-he-spent-many-hours-recently-tape-recording/) [Geoff Hoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-hoon/) > [ Asked who attacked America on 9/11, \[Sarah Palin\] suggested several times that it was Saddam Hussein. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/asked-who-attacked-america-on-9-11-sarah-palin-suggested-several/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Colin Powell > [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Effective leaders are made, not born. They learn from trial and error, and from experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/effective-leaders-are-made-not-born-they-learn-from-trial-and-error/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Decision-making is lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/decision-making-is-lonely/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [The purposes of the United States should not be doubted. The Security Council resolutions will be enforced - the just demands of peace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/the-purposes-of-the-united-states-should-not-be-doubted-the-security/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [I always like to take my time and examine the two candidates, see not only the two candidates but the policies they will bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/i-always-like-to-take-my-time-and-examine-the-two-candidates-see-not/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [We can seldom get our children to do what we tell them, but they almost never fail to imitate us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/we-can-seldom-get-our-children-to-do-what-we-tell-them-but-they/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [With respect to where we are now, we have a voluntary army. And if we ever go back to conscription I hope that at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/with-respect-to-where-we-are-now-we-have-a-voluntary-army-and-if-we/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Politics is not bean bags. It's serious, tough stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/politics-is-not-bean-bags-it-s-serious-tough-stuff/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [There are no secrets to success: don't waste time looking for them, success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/there-are-no-secrets-to-success-don-t-waste-time-looking-for-them/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [So like any football or basketball coach, you always always believe you're going to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/so-like-any-football-or-basketball-coach-you-always-always-believe/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [We hope that more assistance will be available to the nations of the region, to include Egypt, on the three pillars that I discussed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/we-hope-that-more-assistance-will-be-available-to-the-nations-of-the/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [One of the most worrisome things that emerges from the thick intelligence file we have on Iraq's biological weapons is the existence of mobile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/one-of-the-most-worrisome-things-that-emerges-from-the-thick/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Pissing people off doesn't mean you're doing the right things, but doing the right things will almost inevitably piss people off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/pissing-people-off-doesn-t-mean-you-re-doing-the-right-things-but/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/the-less-you-associate-with-some-people-the-more-your-life-will/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Be careful what you choose: You may get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/be-careful-what-you-choose-you-may-get-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) [Explore all 408 Colin Powell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) ## More Appropriate quotes > [“Appropriate is overrated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-w-kohlhagen/appropriate-is-overrated/) [Steven W. 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I don't think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-would-not-under-any-circumstances-try-to-impose-my-personal-faith/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I have no policy, for or against: only a personal style. Which is to say, I use them when I think it's appropriate to;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stross/i-have-no-policy-for-or-against-only-a-personal-style-which-is-to-say/) [Charles Stross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stross/) > [While the intelligence profession oftentimes demands secrecy, it is critically important that there be a full and open discourse on intelligence matters with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-brennan/while-the-intelligence-profession-oftentimes-demands-secrecy-it-is/) [John O. 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