--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is needed [to combat terrorism], in…" description: "\"What is needed [to combat terrorism], in my view, is resolve, not retreat; courage, not concession. Rather than thinking in terms of an exit strategy, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/donald-rumsfeld-1507_combat_what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my_626118.png" --- # What is needed \[to combat terrorism\], in my view, is… ![“What is needed [to combat terrorism], in my view, is resolve, not retreat; courage, not concession. Rather than thinking in terms of an exit strategy, focus on a strategy for success.” quote by Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/donald-rumsfeld-1507_combat_what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my_626118.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/donald-rumsfeld-1507_combat_what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my_626118.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/donald-rumsfeld-1507_combat_what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my_626118.png) > “What is needed \[to combat terrorism\], in my view, is resolve, not retreat; courage, not concession. Rather than thinking in terms of an exit strategy, focus on a strategy for success.” [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective counter‑terrorism requires determination and bravery, not withdrawal or compromise; prioritize winning strategies over exit plans. **In simple terms:** Success needs resolve and courage, not retreat. Key Takeaway Choose decisive action over fear. Themes leadership security strategy Mood determined urgent Type political strategic When to use this quote - military planning - policy making - counter‑terrorism operations Key Concepts deterrence political will risk management Questions to Reflect On - How can resolve be balanced with prudence? - What non‑military tools support success? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on aggression can ignore diplomatic solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Combat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat/) [Exit Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exit-strategy/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Resolve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolve/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The world seems concerned with Pakistan primarily as an actor in global attempts to combat terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/the-world-seems-concerned-with-pakistan-primarily-as-an-actor-in/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [We must continue to ensure law enforcement has the necessary tools to combat terrorism here at home. We must also work with our allies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-murphy/we-must-continue-to-ensure-law-enforcement-has-the-necessary-tools-to/) [Timothy Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-murphy/) > [I think all members of Congress are very concerned about the fact that, while we want to see our law enforcement agencies have every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saxby-chambliss/i-think-all-members-of-congress-are-very-concerned-about-the-fact/) [Saxby Chambliss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saxby-chambliss/) > [Syria is ready to cooperate and coordinate all efforts, whether regional or international, to combat terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walid-muallem/syria-is-ready-to-cooperate-and-coordinate-all-efforts-whether/) [Walid Muallem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walid-muallem/) > [It is necessary to ensure that the requirement to combat terrorism is not used to clamp down on freedom of expression, legitimate dissent, freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/it-is-necessary-to-ensure-that-the-requirement-to-combat-terrorism-is/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [“The doctrine of "exit strategy" fundamentally misunderstands the nature of war and, more generally, the nature of historical action. for the knowledge of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-wieseltier/the-doctrine-of-exit-strategy-fundamentally-misunderstands-the-nature/) [Leon Wieseltier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-wieseltier/) > [If there is one thing BP's 'watery improv act' made clear, it is that, as a culture, we have become far too willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/if-there-is-one-thing-bp-s-watery-improv-act-made-clear-it-is-that-as/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hughes/if-we-are-going-to-commit-american-troops-we-must-be-certain-they/) [Karen Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hughes/) > [Death is my exit strategy. I'll be doing significant customer service only as long as I live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-newmark/death-is-my-exit-strategy-i-ll-be-doing-significant-customer-service/) [Craig Newmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-newmark/) > [It is irresponsible for this Congress to not investigate the President's lack of an exit strategy, and the fraud, waste, and abuse of U.S.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/it-is-irresponsible-for-this-congress-to-not-investigate-the/) [Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/) > [Actions speak louder than words...silence speaks volumes...and just being busy with life...well, that's just a clever exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-speak-louder-than-words-silence-speaks-volumes-and-just-being/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you're a Democrat and 'The New York Times' is calling for your head, you know it's time for an exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mckinnon/if-you-re-a-democrat-and-the-new-york-times-is-calling-for-your-head/) [Mark McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mckinnon/) > [I am committed to doing customer service for Craigslist for the rest of my life. The exit strategy is death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-newmark/i-am-committed-to-doing-customer-service-for-craigslist-for-the-rest/) [Craig Newmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-newmark/) > [The entrance strategy is actually more important than the exit strategy,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-lampert/the-entrance-strategy-is-actually-more-important-than-the-exit/) [Edward Lampert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-lampert/) > [Pentagon records show that at least 8,000 members of the all-volunteer U.S. Army have deserted since the Iraq war began. Hey, at least somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/pentagon-records-show-that-at-least-8-000-members-of-the-all/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) ## More by Donald Rumsfeld > [Five days or five months, but it certainly isn't going to last longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/five-days-or-five-months-but-it-certainly-isn-t-going-to-last-longer/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [I don't believe anyone that I know in the administration ever said that Iraq had nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/i-don-t-believe-anyone-that-i-know-in-the-administration-ever-said/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [I don't think we'll discover anything, myself. I think what will happen is we'll discover people who will tell us where to go find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/i-don-t-think-we-ll-discover-anything-myself-i-think-what-will-happen/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate are not there by accident. Each managed to get there for some reason. Learn what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/members-of-the-u-s-house-and-the-u-s-senate-are-not-there-by-accident/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential program is truly a federal responsibility or whether it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/the-federal-government-should-be-the-last-resort-not-the-first-ask-if/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him if you don't tell him the truth. Others won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/the-price-of-being-close-to-the-president-is-delivering-bad-news-you/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/don-t-speak-ill-of-your-predecessors-or-successors-you-didn-t-walk-in/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [If you can't solve a problem, make it bigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/if-you-can-t-solve-a-problem-make-it-bigger/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/enjoy-your-time-in-public-service-it-may-well-be-one-of-the-most/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [There will be good moments, and there will be less good moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/there-will-be-good-moments-and-there-will-be-less-good-moments/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [From where you sit, the White House may look as untidy as the inside of a stomach. As is said of the legislative process,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/from-where-you-sit-the-white-house-may-look-as-untidy-as-the-inside/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/you-will-launch-many-projects-but-have-time-to-finish-only-a-few-so/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [What is the value of having millions of people in Iraq not having a repressive regime? What is the value of having the Iraqi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/what-is-the-value-of-having-millions-of-people-in-iraq-not-having-a/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or you, delegate it. Force responsibility down and out. Find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/don-t-be-a-bottleneck-if-a-matter-is-not-a-decision-for-the-president/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [When you're skiing, if you're not falling you're not trying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/when-you-re-skiing-if-you-re-not-falling-you-re-not-trying/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) [Explore all 234 Donald Rumsfeld quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) ## More Combat quotes > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Im a ham. I was immediately attracted to fencing because it seemed like a romantic, melodramatic form of combat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dickinson/im-a-ham-i-was-immediately-attracted-to-fencing-because-it-seemed/) [Bruce Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dickinson/) > [“I hate the way you talk to me And the way you cut your hair I hate the way you drive my car I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-hate-the-way-you-talk-to-me-and-the-way-you-cut-your-hair-i-hate/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Success flourishes only in perseverance ceaseless, restless perseverance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/success-flourishes-only-in-perseverance-ceaseless-restless/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It is believed by many that the military life is one of adventure and excitement. In truth, that life more often consists of long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-zahn-star-wars-thrawn/it-is-believed-by-many-that-the-military-life-is-one-of-adventure-and/) [Timothy Zahn, Star Wars: Thrawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-zahn-star-wars-thrawn/) > [The fight against syphilis demands a fight against prostitution, against prejudices, old habits, against previous conceptions, general views among them not least the false…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-fight-against-syphilis-demands-a-fight-against-prostitution/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [The United States can certainly defeat North Vietnam, but the United States cannot defeat a guerrilla war which is being raged from a sanctuary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/the-united-states-can-certainly-defeat-north-vietnam-but-the-united/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [As a soldier and combat veteran, I believe American military forces should only be used in the defense and furtherance of our nation's vital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-ernst/as-a-soldier-and-combat-veteran-i-believe-american-military-forces/) [Joni Ernst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-ernst/) > [A warrior is always aware of what is worth fighting for. He does not go into combat over things that do not concern him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/a-warrior-is-always-aware-of-what-is-worth-fighting-for-he-does-not/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [An untrained or uneducated Marine ... deployed to the combat zone is a bigger threat to mission accomplishment ... than the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/an-untrained-or-uneducated-marine-deployed-to-the-combat-zone-is-a/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [Either we stand united and agree to combat climate change or we will all stumble and fall and condemn humanity to a tragic future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enele-sopoaga/either-we-stand-united-and-agree-to-combat-climate-change-or-we-will/) [Enele Sopoaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enele-sopoaga/) > [But despite their heroic acts, the Vietnam Veterans of America continued to struggle to establish a combat badge in honor of these brave pilots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-holden/but-despite-their-heroic-acts-the-vietnam-veterans-of-america/) [Tim Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-holden/) > [Any physical practice can be a competitive sport. What level you can take postures to create the maximum challenge and show your maximum skill,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajashree-choudhury/any-physical-practice-can-be-a-competitive-sport-what-level-you-can/) [Rajashree Choudhury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajashree-choudhury/) [Browse all 1,019 Combat quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What is needed [to combat terrorism], in my view, is resolve, not retreat; courage, not concession. Rather than thinking in terms of an exit strategy, focus on a strategy for success.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Donald Rumsfeld" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my-view-is-resolve-not-retreat/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Combat" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my-view-is-resolve-not-retreat/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/donald-rumsfeld-1507_combat_what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my_626118.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/donald-rumsfeld-1507_combat_what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my_626118.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/donald-rumsfeld-1507_combat_what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my_626118.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What is needed [to combat terrorism], in my view, is resolve, not retreat; courage, not concession. Rather…” — Donald Rumsfeld", "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": "Donald Rumsfeld", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What is needed [to combat terrorism],...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my-view-is-resolve-not-retreat/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my-view-is-resolve-not-retreat/#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 } } ] } ```