--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe that the Iraqis have an…" description: "\"I believe that the Iraqis have an opportunity now, without Saddam Hussein there, to build the first multiconfessional Arab democracy in the Middle East..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/condoleezza-rice-807_believe_i-believe-that-the-iraqis-have-an-opport_781608.jpg" --- # I believe that the Iraqis have an opportunity now, without… ![“I believe that the Iraqis have an opportunity now, without Saddam Hussein there, to build the first multiconfessional Arab democracy in the Middle East. And that will make for a different kind of Middle East. And these things take time. History has a long arc, not a short one. And there are going…” quote by Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/condoleezza-rice-807_believe_i-believe-that-the-iraqis-have-an-opport_781608.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/condoleezza-rice-807_believe_i-believe-that-the-iraqis-have-an-opport_781608.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/condoleezza-rice-807_believe_i-believe-that-the-iraqis-have-an-opport_781608.jpg) > “I believe that the Iraqis have an opportunity now, without Saddam Hussein there, to build the first multiconfessional Arab democracy in the Middle East. And that will make for a different kind of Middle East. And these things take time. History has a long arc, not a short one. And there are going to be ups and downs, and it is going to take patience by the United States and by Iraq's neighbors to help the Iraqis to do that. But if they succeed, it'll transform the Middle East, and that's worth doing.” [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She envisions a post‑Saddam Iraq becoming a pluralistic democracy, acknowledging the long, uneven process and the need for regional patience. **In simple terms:** Iraq could become a multi‑faith democracy, but it will take time and support. Key Takeaway Support democratic development in Iraq. Themes democracy regional stability patience Mood hopeful cautious Type political strategic When to use this quote - post‑conflict reconstruction - regional diplomacy - civil society development Key Concepts state‑building pluralism foreign policy Questions to Reflect On - How can the US balance involvement and sovereignty? - What safeguards prevent backsliding? A Different Perspective Challenges include sectarian divisions and external interference. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Middle east](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-east/) [Neighbor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbor/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Ups & downs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ups-downs/) [Ups and downs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ups-and-downs/) ## Related quotes > [The U.S. liberated Iraq from a tyrant. I think the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude, and I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-u-s-liberated-iraq-from-a-tyrant-i-think-the-iraqi-people-owe-the/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [The men and women of our armed forces played an instrumental role in the election process - securing polling sites and providing security -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-mchugh/the-men-and-women-of-our-armed-forces-played-an-instrumental-role-in/) [John M. McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-mchugh/) > [We remember the specter of sectarian violence -- al Qaeda's attacks on mosques and pilgrims, militias that carried out campaigns of intimidation and campaigns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-remember-the-specter-of-sectarian-violence-al-qaeda-s-attacks-on/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I think America should amass a strategy for success, and set out the milestones. We need to help the Iraqis get their democracy up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-boxer/i-think-america-should-amass-a-strategy-for-success-and-set-out-the/) [Barbara Boxer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-boxer/) > [“And so what if it takes a while? What’s the hurry? Great things take time, and your life is a project.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bethenny-frankel/and-so-what-if-it-takes-a-while-what-s-the-hurry-great-things-take/) [Bethenny Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bethenny-frankel/) > [All the lessons are in nature. You look at the way rocks are formed - the wind and the water hitting them, shaping them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-lane/all-the-lessons-are-in-nature-you-look-at-the-way-rocks-are-formed/) [Diane Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-lane/) > [Great things take time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-cassandra/great-things-take-time/) [Regina Cassandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-cassandra/) > [You can't build a cathedral in a day. A look at the club's history tells you these things take time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-houllier/you-can-t-build-a-cathedral-in-a-day-a-look-at-the-club-s-history/) [Gerard Houllier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-houllier/) > [Im not single & Im not taken. Im simply on reserve for the one who deserves my heart because they say good things take time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dev/im-not-single-im-not-taken-im-simply-on-reserve-for-the-one-who/) [Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dev/) > [Never give up. Great things take time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-give-up-great-things-take-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think we're moving toward moments of grace and understanding. And I think these things take time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colum-mccann/i-think-we-re-moving-toward-moments-of-grace-and-understanding-and-i/) [Colum McCann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colum-mccann/) > [Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-cerutty/hard-things-take-time-to-do-impossible-things-take-a-little-longer/) [Percy Cerutty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-cerutty/) > [Are things moving a little slow today? Don't be frustrated if you're not progressing as fast as you'd like. Good things take time. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/are-things-moving-a-little-slow-today-don-t-be-frustrated-if-you-re/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Good things take time. Great things take a long time. And the best things take the longest time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/good-things-take-time-great-things-take-a-long-time-and-the-best/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are lots of things about me that have changed. Some things are a process; some things take time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-george/there-are-lots-of-things-about-me-that-have-changed-some-things-are-a/) [Boy George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-george/) ## More by Condoleezza Rice > [The Iranian people have a proud past. They merit a great future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/the-iranian-people-have-a-proud-past-they-merit-a-great-future/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [It has been hard to muster the resources to support fledgling democracies and to intervene on behalf of the most desperate. The AIDS orphans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/it-has-been-hard-to-muster-the-resources-to-support-fledgling/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [We can't live true to our set of values unless American educational system is strong. I really believe that if we don't get that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/we-can-t-live-true-to-our-set-of-values-unless-american-educational/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I remember at the time of 9/11 that there were women who went out of their way to escort Muslim women to grocery stores…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-remember-at-the-time-of-9-11-that-there-were-women-who-went-out-of/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [The first step for a leader is to be right with yourself. Integrity is the basis of leadership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/the-first-step-for-a-leader-is-to-be-right-with-yourself-integrity-is/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [A lot is being done to bring additional protective measures, particularly the critical infrastructure locations around the United States, ... There is a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/a-lot-is-being-done-to-bring-additional-protective-measures/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [You cannot be on one hand dedicated to peace and on the other dedicated to violence. Those two things are irreconcilable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/you-cannot-be-on-one-hand-dedicated-to-peace-and-on-the-other/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I'm not personally fearful, but I look out, and there are a number of things that concern me, and I'm hopeful that we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-m-not-personally-fearful-but-i-look-out-and-there-are-a-number-of/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [ \[I'm\] very fortunate and blessed person who still has a lot of living to do. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-m-very-fortunate-and-blessed-person-who-still-has-a-lot-of-living/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [Football is like war. It's about taking territory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/football-is-like-war-it-s-about-taking-territory/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I think there are plenty of men out there who are capable and accomplished in their own realm. You don't have to be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-think-there-are-plenty-of-men-out-there-who-are-capable-and/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I've always said as a political scientist that "culture" is what we use when we can't explain things. I think it's more about accessibility.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-ve-always-said-as-a-political-scientist-that-culture-is-what-we-use/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I believed Afghanistan was always going to be hard. It's the fifth poorest country in the world. And when you fly over it, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-believed-afghanistan-was-always-going-to-be-hard-it-s-the-fifth/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I'm very glad my mother didn't let me quit piano lessons at age 10. She said I wasn't old enough or good enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-m-very-glad-my-mother-didn-t-let-me-quit-piano-lessons-at-age-10/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [The idea the president of the United States was warned that Al-Qaeda was going to attack the United States and did nothing about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/the-idea-the-president-of-the-united-states-was-warned-that-al-qaeda/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) [Explore all 365 Condoleezza Rice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I believe that the Iraqis have an opportunity now, without Saddam Hussein there, to build the first multiconfessional Arab democracy in the Middle East. And that will make for a different kind of Middle East. And these things take time. History has a long arc, not a short one. And there are going to be ups and downs, and it is going to take patience by the United States and by Iraq's neighbors to help the Iraqis to do that. 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