--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wish we had been doing diplomatic…" description: "\"I wish we had been doing diplomatic security in Benghazi. I can tell you that Benghazi would not have happened if Blackwater were on the job there.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e82/erik-prince-5732_benghazi_i-wish-we-had-been-doing-diplomatic-secu_3053050.jpg" --- # I wish we had been doing diplomatic security in Benghazi… ![“I wish we had been doing diplomatic security in Benghazi. I can tell you that Benghazi would not have happened if Blackwater were on the job there.” quote by Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e82/erik-prince-5732_benghazi_i-wish-we-had-been-doing-diplomatic-secu_3053050.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e82/erik-prince-5732_benghazi_i-wish-we-had-been-doing-diplomatic-secu_3053050.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e82/erik-prince-5732_benghazi_i-wish-we-had-been-doing-diplomatic-secu_3053050.jpg) > “I wish we had been doing diplomatic security in Benghazi. I can tell you that Benghazi would not have happened if Blackwater were on the job there.” [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He blames lack of private security for Benghazi tragedy, implying Blackwater could have prevented it. **In simple terms:** He thinks private security would have stopped Benghazi. Key Takeaway Consider security implications. Themes security accountability politics Mood critical analytical Type political controversial When to use this quote - government policy - conflict zones - contracting decisions Key Concepts private security risk management Questions to Reflect On - Should private firms handle diplomatic security? - What are the risks? A Different Perspective Security isn’t a guarantee of safety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benghazi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benghazi/) [Benghazi Happened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benghazi-happened-3490756/) [Benghazi Tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benghazi-tell-5087169/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [Happened Blackwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happened-blackwater-5087167/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Security Benghazi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security-benghazi-5087168/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Benghazi happened a long time ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-carney/benghazi-happened-a-long-time-ago/) [Jay Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-carney/) > [I am not surprised that the president of the United States called this a phony scandal. I'm not surprised Secretary Clinton asked, "What difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/i-am-not-surprised-that-the-president-of-the-united-states-called/) [Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/) > ["Benghazi happened a long time ago. We are unaware of any agency blocking an employee who would like to appear before Congress to provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/benghazi-happened-a-long-time-ago-we-are-unaware-of-any-agency/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Big mistakes were made in Benghazi, and people should be held accountable. But the brave officers who staff American posts in crisis zones know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ignatius/big-mistakes-were-made-in-benghazi-and-people-should-be-held/) [David Ignatius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ignatius/) > [There's no way we can get to the bottom of Benghazi without David Petraeus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/there-s-no-way-we-can-get-to-the-bottom-of-benghazi-without-david/) [Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/) > [I agree with Donna Brazile who said about Benghazi: "We got to preven dis from hapinin agen. "](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-agree-with-donna-brazile-who-said-about-benghazi-we-got-to-preven/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Despite being briefed about the ongoing terrorist attack at the Benghazi facility very soon after it began, the president took no meaningful action as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/despite-being-briefed-about-the-ongoing-terrorist-attack-at-the/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“With the November election looming and the president’s campaign rhetoric about decimating al-Qaeda becoming laughable, the White House endeavored to defraud the American people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/with-the-november-election-looming-and-the-president-s-campaign/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“Recent disclosures by some of the combatants about the night of the Benghazi attack remind us that almost everything Jay Carney, Susan Rice, Hillary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/recent-disclosures-by-some-of-the-combatants-about-the-night-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think the debate was really some powerful moments of clarity. We saw that Donald Trump, substantively, has the same issues on issue after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-think-the-debate-was-really-some-powerful-moments-of-clarity-we-saw/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [My big problem with Hillary and the Department of State where Benghazi is concerned is there is just no accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-webb/my-big-problem-with-hillary-and-the-department-of-state-where/) [Brandon Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-webb/) > [ So Hillary \[Clinton\], "I do feel in some ways tired." And that's your leading Democrat presidential candidate for 2016. She's been tired for how… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/so-hillary-clinton-i-do-feel-in-some-ways-tired-and-that-s-your/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [ I could be wrong about that, and \[Susan Rice \] may have really wanted \[secretary of state place\]. But now she has become a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/i-could-be-wrong-about-that-and-susan-rice-may-have-really-wanted/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [The Benghazi attack was one of the more confusing, chaotic days that we had at work because you had these multiple violent protests taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/the-benghazi-attack-was-one-of-the-more-confusing-chaotic-days-that/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [With Benghazi, I don't see anyone saying, 'Hey look, I am overall responsible for this and therefore, I take responsibility for what happened. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jocko-willink/with-benghazi-i-don-t-see-anyone-saying-hey-look-i-am-overall/) [Jocko Willink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jocko-willink/) ## More by Erik Prince > [We now know that gun-free zones, though well intentioned, do not prevent attacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/we-now-know-that-gun-free-zones-though-well-intentioned-do-not/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [The video game industry is constantly evolving. The sheer creativity matched with cutting-edge technologies gives me the comfort that innovation is alive and well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/the-video-game-industry-is-constantly-evolving-the-sheer-creativity/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [Blackwater's work with the CIA began when we provided specialized instructors and facilities that the Agency lacked. In the years that followed, the company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/blackwater-s-work-with-the-cia-began-when-we-provided-specialized/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [Video games are an exciting medium. The creativity of design, the technology and the interaction represent the best of American innovation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/video-games-are-an-exciting-medium-the-creativity-of-design-the/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [There are some phone calls where it's not even worth wasting the electrons on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/there-are-some-phone-calls-where-it-s-not-even-worth-wasting-the/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [Why should I pay for business? Fly coach, you arrive at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/why-should-i-pay-for-business-fly-coach-you-arrive-at-the-same-time/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [America is a great nation, but it cannot spend blood and treasure endlessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/america-is-a-great-nation-but-it-cannot-spend-blood-and-treasure/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [You pretty much remove the entire political texture from Blackwater when you come to China. What they look at is our 100 per cent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/you-pretty-much-remove-the-entire-political-texture-from-blackwater/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [Limited government is best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/limited-government-is-best/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [In Joe Yorio you find a guy who's smarter at business than I am. I'm an entrepreneur and idea guy; he's a professional businessman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/in-joe-yorio-you-find-a-guy-who-s-smarter-at-business-than-i-am-i-m/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [One of the real core competencies of Blackwater, or companies like Blackwater, is we can operate in difficult places without any outside support.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/one-of-the-real-core-competencies-of-blackwater-or-companies-like/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [I'm painted as this war profiteer by Congress. Meanwhile I'm paying for all sorts of intelligence activities to support American national security, out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/i-m-painted-as-this-war-profiteer-by-congress-meanwhile-i-m-paying/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [I'm an American working for America. Anything we do is to support U.S. policy. You know the definition of a mercenary is a professional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/i-m-an-american-working-for-america-anything-we-do-is-to-support-u-s/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [Our failed population-centric approach to Afghanistan has only led to missed opportunities, which is why Afghanistan depends on donors for 90% of government revenues.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/our-failed-population-centric-approach-to-afghanistan-has-only-led-to/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) > [President Trump should appoint a special presidential envoy and empower them to wage an unconventional war against Taliban and Daesh forces, to hold the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-prince/president-trump-should-appoint-a-special-presidential-envoy-and/) [Erik Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) [Explore all 100 Erik Prince quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-prince/) ## More Benghazi quotes > [With Benghazi, I don't see anyone saying, 'Hey look, I am overall responsible for this and therefore, I take responsibility for what happened. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jocko-willink/with-benghazi-i-don-t-see-anyone-saying-hey-look-i-am-overall/) [Jocko Willink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jocko-willink/) > [“Recent disclosures by some of the combatants about the night of the Benghazi attack remind us that almost everything Jay Carney, Susan Rice, Hillary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/recent-disclosures-by-some-of-the-combatants-about-the-night-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My big problem with Hillary and the Department of State where Benghazi is concerned is there is just no accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-webb/my-big-problem-with-hillary-and-the-department-of-state-where/) [Brandon Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-webb/) > [Big mistakes were made in Benghazi, and people should be held accountable. But the brave officers who staff American posts in crisis zones know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ignatius/big-mistakes-were-made-in-benghazi-and-people-should-be-held/) [David Ignatius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ignatius/) > [The Benghazi attack was one of the more confusing, chaotic days that we had at work because you had these multiple violent protests taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/the-benghazi-attack-was-one-of-the-more-confusing-chaotic-days-that/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [ I could be wrong about that, and \[Susan Rice \] may have really wanted \[secretary of state place\]. But now she has become a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/i-could-be-wrong-about-that-and-susan-rice-may-have-really-wanted/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [ So Hillary \[Clinton\], "I do feel in some ways tired." And that's your leading Democrat presidential candidate for 2016. She's been tired for how… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/so-hillary-clinton-i-do-feel-in-some-ways-tired-and-that-s-your/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I think the debate was really some powerful moments of clarity. We saw that Donald Trump, substantively, has the same issues on issue after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-think-the-debate-was-really-some-powerful-moments-of-clarity-we-saw/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [I am not surprised that the president of the United States called this a phony scandal. I'm not surprised Secretary Clinton asked, "What difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/i-am-not-surprised-that-the-president-of-the-united-states-called/) [Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/) > [“With the November election looming and the president’s campaign rhetoric about decimating al-Qaeda becoming laughable, the White House endeavored to defraud the American people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/with-the-november-election-looming-and-the-president-s-campaign/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“Despite being briefed about the ongoing terrorist attack at the Benghazi facility very soon after it began, the president took no meaningful action as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/despite-being-briefed-about-the-ongoing-terrorist-attack-at-the/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [I agree with Donna Brazile who said about Benghazi: "We got to preven dis from hapinin agen. "](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-agree-with-donna-brazile-who-said-about-benghazi-we-got-to-preven/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [There's no way we can get to the bottom of Benghazi without David Petraeus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/there-s-no-way-we-can-get-to-the-bottom-of-benghazi-without-david/) [Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/) > [ Even in this case, whatever it is, it's about \[Barack\] Obama. "How did Obama do at the memorial? Did Obama come off well? Will… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/even-in-this-case-whatever-it-is-it-s-about-barack-obama-how-did/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I am a career public servant. Until the aftermath of Benghazi, I loved every day of my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-hicks/i-am-a-career-public-servant-until-the-aftermath-of-benghazi-i-loved/) [Greg Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-hicks/) [Browse all 71 Benghazi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benghazi/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I wish we had been doing diplomatic security in Benghazi. 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