Israel Quote by David Brooks
“If you withdraw from the game, you're out of the game. And we have withdrawn from the game. And we said Bashar Assad has to go. He's going to stay. So we're out of the game.”
About This Quote
When a party withdraws from a conflict, it loses influence and the ability to shape outcomes.
In simple terms: Leaving a fight removes your voice.
Key Takeaway
Stay engaged to affect change.
Themes
politics
conflict
strategy
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- international relations
- policy debates
- activism
- elections
Key Concepts
power dynamics
withdrawal
negotiation
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the costs of disengagement?
- When is stepping back the best option?
A Different Perspective
Withdrawal can be strategic, but may also cede control.
![“[Bashar] Assad himself has said on several occasions recently that if the people of Syria don't believe I should be there in the future, then I would step - I would leave. He has said it. He has, on occasion, hinted that he wants a political settlement of one kind or another. I think it's up to…” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4e/john-f-kerry-996_assad_bashar-assad-himself-has-said-on-several_789819.jpg)
![“The one way, possibly, out of this is for [Bashar] Assad to abdicate and plead, perhaps to Russia or somewhere else. Would save another wave of civilian casualties if we could get him to abdicate.” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c1/rand-paul-606_assad_the-one-way-possibly-out-of-this-is-for_2248070.jpg)
![“What is true is [Bashar] Assad got rid of his chemical weapons.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/47d/barack-obama-17_assad_what-is-true-is-bashar-assad-got-rid-of_675441.jpg)
![“We have to get rid of ISIS first. After we get rid of ISIS, we'll start thinking about it. But we can't be fighting [Bashar] Assad. And when you're fighting Assad, you are fighting Russia, you're fighting - you're fighting a lot of different groups.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/488/donald-trump-18_assad_we-have-to-get-rid-of-isis-first-after-w_2613569.jpg)
![“I think it's too late. I think that there's been too much. This all started with the red line, walking away from it. The inability to arm the legitimate [Bashar] Assad opposition.” quote by John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/971/john-kasich-1650_arms_i-think-it-s-too-late-i-think-that-there_2564293.jpg)
![“I think those who have wanted regime [of Bashar Assad] change have made a mistake.” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6b2/rand-paul-606_assad_i-think-those-who-have-wanted-regime-of_280205.jpg)
![“[Islam] Leaves no room of human legislation in an Islamic state, because herein all legislative functions vest in God and the only function left for Muslims lies in their observance of the God-made law.” quote by Abul A'la Maududi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/704/abul-a-la-maududi-51903_function_islam-leaves-no-room-of-human-legislatio_886.jpg)
