--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The problem here is that there will…" description: "\"The problem here is that there will always be some uncertainty about how quickly Saddam can acquire nuclear weapons. But we don't want the smoking gun ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/condoleezza-rice-807_acquire_the-problem-here-is-that-there-will-alwa_3033641.jpg" --- # The problem here is that there will always be some… ![“The problem here is that there will always be some uncertainty about how quickly Saddam can acquire nuclear weapons. But we don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud.” quote by Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/condoleezza-rice-807_acquire_the-problem-here-is-that-there-will-alwa_3033641.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/condoleezza-rice-807_acquire_the-problem-here-is-that-there-will-alwa_3033641.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/condoleezza-rice-807_acquire_the-problem-here-is-that-there-will-alwa_3033641.jpg) > “The problem here is that there will always be some uncertainty about how quickly Saddam can acquire nuclear weapons. But we don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud.” [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. Uncertainty about Saddam’s nuclear timeline; desire to avoid catastrophic evidence. **In simple terms:** We fear unknown threats and want to prevent disaster. Key Takeaway Plan for worst‑case scenarios. Themes security politics risk management Mood cautious analytical Type policy strategic When to use this quote - policy making - military intelligence - diplomacy - crisis response Key Concepts deterrence proliferation strategic planning Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can prevent a nuclear crisis? - How do we balance intelligence with speculation? A Different Perspective Predicting timelines is inherently uncertain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquire/) [Acquire Nuclear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquire-nuclear-438492/) [Gun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Nuclear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear/) [Nuclear weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear-weapons/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Quickly Saddam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quickly-saddam-4967332/) [Saddam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saddam/) [Saddam Acquire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saddam-acquire-4967331/) [Smoking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smoking/) [Uncertainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertainty/) [Uncertainty Quickly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertainty-quickly-4967330/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [In the late 1950s a major topic under discussion was whether Canada should acquire nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-charles-polanyi/in-the-late-1950s-a-major-topic-under-discussion-was-whether-canada/) [John Charles Polanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-charles-polanyi/) > [We know he's been absolutely devoted to trying to acquire nuclear weapons, and we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/we-know-he-s-been-absolutely-devoted-to-trying-to-acquire-nuclear/) [Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/) > [Almost all of the governments have agreed that they will not acquire nuclear weapons and that they will allow the International Atomic Energy Agency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/almost-all-of-the-governments-have-agreed-that-they-will-not-acquire/) [John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/) > [But I want to just caution, it is not incumbent on the United States to prove that Saddam Hussein is trying to acquire weapons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/but-i-want-to-just-caution-it-is-not-incumbent-on-the-united-states/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [It would seem to be the case that pressure on Iran to acquire nuclear weapons is almost totally driven by their need for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-a-falk/it-would-seem-to-be-the-case-that-pressure-on-iran-to-acquire-nuclear/) [Richard A. Falk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-a-falk/) > [The North Koreas of the world are trying very hard to acquire the material they need to acquire nuclear weapons, as is the case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-fadden/the-north-koreas-of-the-world-are-trying-very-hard-to-acquire-the/) [Richard Fadden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-fadden/) > [Our bottom line, if you want to call it a red line, president's bottom line has been that Iran will not acquire a nuclear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/our-bottom-line-if-you-want-to-call-it-a-red-line-president-s-bottom/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [Saddam Hussein is not the only deranged dictator who is willing to deprive his people in order to acquire weapons of mass destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jeffords/saddam-hussein-is-not-the-only-deranged-dictator-who-is-willing-to/) [Jim Jeffords](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jeffords/) > [ It \[the intelligence service\] concludes that Iraq has chemical and biological weapons, that Saddam has continued to produce them, that he has existing and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/it-the-intelligence-service-concludes-that-iraq-has-chemical-and/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [ There is no question that Iraq possesses biological and chemical weapons and that he \[Saddam Hussein\] seeks to acquire additional weapons of mass destruction,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dodd/there-is-no-question-that-iraq-possesses-biological-and-chemical/) [Christopher Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dodd/) > [ We do know, with absolute certainty, that \[Saddam\] is using his procurement system to acquire the equipment he needs in order to enrich uranium… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/we-do-know-with-absolute-certainty-that-saddam-is-using-his/) [Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/) > [There's no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat Yes, he has chemical and biological weapons. He's had those for a long time. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wesley-clark/there-s-no-question-that-saddam-hussein-is-a-threat-yes-he-has/) [Wesley Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wesley-clark/) > [Wasn't Saddam destroyed? Wasn't Gaddafi liquidated? Didn't Milosevic go to the Hague? All true. But Stalin survived. Kim Jong-un isn't doing too badly, either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fisk/wasn-t-saddam-destroyed-wasn-t-gaddafi-liquidated-didn-t-milosevic-go/) [Robert Fisk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fisk/) > [I certainly have no regrets about overthrowing Saddam Hussein. I'd do it again. And, yes, there are a lot of things that I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-certainly-have-no-regrets-about-overthrowing-saddam-hussein-i-d-do/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [But in terms of Saddam Hussein being there, let's remember that his country is divided, in effect. He does not control the northern part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/but-in-terms-of-saddam-hussein-being-there-let-s-remember-that-his/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) ## 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 Acquire quotes > [Most people seek after what they do not possess and are enslaved by the very things they want to acquire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anwar-sadat/most-people-seek-after-what-they-do-not-possess-and-are-enslaved-by/) [Anwar Sadat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anwar-sadat/) > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-aquilina/humility-is-an-elusive-virtue-the-more-we-pursue-it-and-the-more-we/) [Mike Aquilina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-aquilina/) > [Acquire worldly wisdom and adjust your behavior accordingly. If your new behavior gives you a little temporary unpopularity with your peer group then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/acquire-worldly-wisdom-and-adjust-your-behavior-accordingly-if-your/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [This was Shakespeare's form ; Who walk'd in every path of human life, Felt every passion ; and to all mankind Doth now, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-akenside/this-was-shakespeare-s-form-who-walk-d-in-every-path-of-human-life/) [Mark Akenside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-akenside/) > [Wasn't Saddam destroyed? Wasn't Gaddafi liquidated? 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Kim Jong-un isn't doing too badly, either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fisk/wasn-t-saddam-destroyed-wasn-t-gaddafi-liquidated-didn-t-milosevic-go/) [Robert Fisk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fisk/) > [The best way for women to acquire knowledge is from conversation with a father, a brother, or a friend, in the way of family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-letitia-barbauld/the-best-way-for-women-to-acquire-knowledge-is-from-conversation-with/) [Anna Letitia Barbauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-letitia-barbauld/) > [Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would do anything, believe anything in order to acquire it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/have-you-ever-wanted-something-so-badly-that-you-would-do-anything/) [Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/) > [Ballet is pure and demands that you serve something larger than yourself, whether it be beauty or art, or a combination of both. 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