--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I just don't know whether it was all…" description: "\"I just don't know whether it was all destroyed years ago - I mean, there's no question that there were chemical weapons years ago - whether they were d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/539/david-petraeus-11182_chemical-weapons_i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-des_1756380.png" --- # I just don't know whether it was all destroyed years ago… ![“I just don't know whether it was all destroyed years ago - I mean, there's no question that there were chemical weapons years ago - whether they were destroyed right before the war, (or) whether they're still hidden.” quote by David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/539/david-petraeus-11182_chemical-weapons_i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-des_1756380.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/539/david-petraeus-11182_chemical-weapons_i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-des_1756380.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/539/david-petraeus-11182_chemical-weapons_i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-des_1756380.png) > “I just don't know whether it was all destroyed years ago - I mean, there's no question that there were chemical weapons years ago - whether they were destroyed right before the war, (or) whether they're still hidden.” [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Uncertainty remains about the fate of chemical weapons; they may have been destroyed or still hidden. **In simple terms:** We don't know if chemical weapons are gone. Key Takeaway Advocate for thorough verification and transparency. Themes security accountability history Mood cautious inquisitive Type strategic ethical When to use this quote - policy review - historical research - military oversight Key Concepts non‑proliferation risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What steps ensure weapons are truly eliminated? - How can transparency be balanced with security? A Different Perspective Information may be classified or incomplete. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chemical weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chemical-weapons/) [Invasion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invasion/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Mass destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass-destruction/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) [Weapons of mass destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons-of-mass-destruction/) [Wmds in iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wmds-in-iraq/) ## Related quotes > [Saddam's existing biological and chemical weapons capabilities pose a very real threat to America, now. Saddam has used chemical weapons before, both against Iraq's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/saddam-s-existing-biological-and-chemical-weapons-capabilities-pose-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-waxman/he-has-systematically-violated-over-the-course-of-the-past-11-years-2/) [Henry Waxman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-waxman/) > [Well, there is no question that we have evidence and information that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, biological and chemical particularly . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/well-there-is-no-question-that-we-have-evidence-and-information-that/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) > [The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-byrd/the-last-un-weapons-inspectors-left-iraq-in-october-of-1998-we-are/) [Robert Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-byrd/) > [He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-waxman/he-has-systematically-violated-over-the-course-of-the-past-11-years/) [Henry Waxman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-waxman/) > [We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/we-know-that-he-has-stored-secret-supplies-of-biological-and-chemical/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [If left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/if-left-unchecked-saddam-hussein-will-continue-to-increase-his/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [There is no doubt that . Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-graham/there-is-no-doubt-that-saddam-hussein-has-reinvigorated-his-weapons/) [Bob Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-graham/) > [In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapon stock,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/in-the-four-years-since-the-inspectors-left-intelligence-reports-show/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [If he declares he has none, then we will know that Saddam Hussein is once again misleading the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/if-he-declares-he-has-none-then-we-will-know-that-saddam-hussein-is/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) > [John Kerry presented his confidence and his convictions. It's not about confidence, it's about evidence. The Russians have completely opposite evidence that the missiles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bashar-al-assad/john-kerry-presented-his-confidence-and-his-convictions-it-s-not/) [Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bashar-al-assad/) > [Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/simply-stated-there-is-no-doubt-that-saddam-hussein-now-has-weapons/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/iraq-does-pose-a-serious-threat-to-the-stability-of-the-persian-gulf/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-chirac/what-is-at-stake-is-how-to-answer-the-potential-threat-iraq/) [Jacques Chirac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-chirac/) > [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/) ## More by David Petraeus > [ There \[in Afghanistan\] is also a growing insurgency threat from al-Qaida, the Taliban and other extremist elements, some of which comes from the tribal… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/there-in-afghanistan-is-also-a-growing-insurgency-threat-from-al/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [The job of the leader is to get the big ideas right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/the-job-of-the-leader-is-to-get-the-big-ideas-right/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [Over the last few years they have done a superb job in their fight against al-Qaida. As you may recall, our embassy in Jedda…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/over-the-last-few-years-they-have-done-a-superb-job-in-their-fight/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/after-being-married-for-over-37-years-i-showed-extremely-poor/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [Money can be a very important form of "ammunition," although we should never forget that when you're being shot at the most important ammunition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/money-can-be-a-very-important-form-of-ammunition-although-we-should/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [The president and I sat down in the Oval Office, and he expressed very clearly that what he wants from me is my best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/the-president-and-i-sat-down-in-the-oval-office-and-he-expressed-very/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [Don't forget Yemen, where there are also extremist elements, as we saw recently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/don-t-forget-yemen-where-there-are-also-extremist-elements-as-we-saw/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [If you look at casualties, you find countries that had much higher loss rates per capita than the US. Denmark comes to mind, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/if-you-look-at-casualties-you-find-countries-that-had-much-higher/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [I will not ever run for political office. I can assure you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/i-will-not-ever-run-for-political-office-i-can-assure-you/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [Political progress will only take place if sufficient security exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/political-progress-will-only-take-place-if-sufficient-security-exists/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [Even the Interior Ministry in Riyadh was hit. Since then, the Saudis have employed a very intelligent and comprehensive approach to counter al-Qaida, including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/even-the-interior-ministry-in-riyadh-was-hit-since-then-the-saudis/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [In Afghanistan you are not rebuilding, you are building. There is very limited infrastructure and extreme terrain, with deserts in the south and mountains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/in-afghanistan-you-are-not-rebuilding-you-are-building-there-is-very/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [“We have relearned since 9/11 the timeless lesson that we don’t always get to fight the wars for which we’re most prepared or most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/we-have-relearned-since-9-11-the-timeless-lesson-that-we-don-t-always/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [Iran, as we have already discussed, has carried out very, very harmful activities inside Iraq. Funding, trainings, arming and, in some cases, even directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/iran-as-we-have-already-discussed-has-carried-out-very-very-harmful/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [This is actually true of the overall fight against al-Qaeda and trans-national extremists, that as you put pressure on them in one location, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/this-is-actually-true-of-the-overall-fight-against-al-qaeda-and-trans/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) [Explore all 61 David Petraeus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) ## More Chemical weapons quotes > [I come to this debate, Mr. Speaker, as one at the end of 10 years in office on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-come-to-this-debate-mr-speaker-as-one-at-the-end-of-10-years-in/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-byrd/the-last-un-weapons-inspectors-left-iraq-in-october-of-1998-we-are/) [Robert Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-byrd/) > [My goal is to maintain the international norm on banning chemical weapons. I want that enforcement to be real. I want it to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/my-goal-is-to-maintain-the-international-norm-on-banning-chemical/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Under Saddam Hussein, the nation of Iraq possessed and used chemical weapons against both their own Kurdish population and Iranian military forces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/under-saddam-hussein-the-nation-of-iraq-possessed-and-used-chemical/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [The United States, a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, destroyed the last of its stocks of VX and other chemical agents on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/the-united-states-a-signatory-to-the-chemical-weapons-convention/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) > [Who cares how we avoided a war and got a dictator to give up his chemical weapons if we avoided a war and got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/who-cares-how-we-avoided-a-war-and-got-a-dictator-to-give-up-his/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [Weapons of mass destruction - nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons - are just that, and no cause can excuse their use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/weapons-of-mass-destruction-nuclear-biological-and-chemical-weapons/) [Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/) > [I believe that the topic of chemical weapons is critically important for international peace and security, and I take note of the ongoing debate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/i-believe-that-the-topic-of-chemical-weapons-is-critically-important/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lieberman/every-day-saddam-remains-in-power-with-chemical-weapons-biological/) [Joe Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lieberman/) > [ For example, the use of chemical weapons \[in Syria\]- some on the Democrat side have said well, this encourages the North Koreans to use… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/for-example-the-use-of-chemical-weapons-in-syria-some-on-the-democrat/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-waxman/he-has-systematically-violated-over-the-course-of-the-past-11-years/) [Henry Waxman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-waxman/) > [Not all G8 members take the view that chemical weapons were in fact used by the Syrian Army. Some actually agree with us that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/not-all-g8-members-take-the-view-that-chemical-weapons-were-in-fact/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [ Actually, he gave false evidence \[of chemical weapons\]. In this case,\[John\] Kerry didn't even present any evidence. He talked "we have evidence" and he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bashar-al-assad/actually-he-gave-false-evidence-of-chemical-weapons-in-this-case-john/) [Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bashar-al-assad/) > [“Evolution is messy. Oftentimes our brains evolve more quickly than our capacity to love. Science has unlocked many mysteries of the universe by harnessing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-main/evolution-is-messy-oftentimes-our-brains-evolve-more-quickly-than-our/) [Darren Main](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-main/) > [Any use of chemical weapons, by anyone, under any circumstances, is a grave violation of the 1925 Protocol and other relevant rules of customary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/any-use-of-chemical-weapons-by-anyone-under-any-circumstances-is-a/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) [Browse all 126 Chemical weapons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chemical-weapons/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I just don't know whether it was all destroyed years ago - I mean, there's no question that there were chemical weapons years ago - whether they were destroyed right before the war, (or) whether they're still hidden.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Petraeus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-destroyed-years-ago-i-mean-there/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chemical weapons" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-destroyed-years-ago-i-mean-there/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/539/david-petraeus-11182_chemical-weapons_i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-des_1756380.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/539/david-petraeus-11182_chemical-weapons_i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-des_1756380.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/539/david-petraeus-11182_chemical-weapons_i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-des_1756380.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I just don't know whether it was all destroyed years ago - I mean, there's no question that there were…” — David Petraeus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "David Petraeus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I just don't know whether it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-destroyed-years-ago-i-mean-there/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/i-just-don-t-know-whether-it-was-all-destroyed-years-ago-i-mean-there/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```