Able Quote by George W. Bush
![“[Should] Iraq acquire fissile material, it would be able to build a nuclear weapon within a year.” quote by George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8e5/george-w-bush-64_able_should-iraq-acquire-fissile-material-it_1166579.jpg)
“[Should] Iraq acquire fissile material, it would be able to build a nuclear weapon within a year.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: National Security Briefing, 2002
Acquiring fissile material would enable rapid nuclear weapons development.
In simple terms: Iraq could quickly build a bomb with fissile material.
Key Takeaway
Prevent proliferation by limiting material access.
Themes
security
proliferation
policy
geopolitics
Mood
anxious
serious
Type
policy
strategic
When to use this quote
- diplomatic negotiations
- non‑proliferation treaties
- intelligence monitoring
- export controls
Key Concepts
deterrence
non‑proliferation
strategic risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can effectively stop material acquisition?
- How do political motives affect proliferation risk?
A Different Perspective
Assumes technical capability and political will; may overlook other pathways to weapons.
![“We do know, with absolute certainty, that [Saddam] is using his procurement system to acquire the equipment he needs in order to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon.” quote by Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb4/dick-cheney-1810_absolute-certainty_we-do-know-with-absolute-certainty-that_363969.jpg)
![“If the Iraqi regime is able to produce, buy or steal an amount of highly enriched uranium a little larger than a single softball, [it] could have a nuclear weapon in less than a year.” quote by George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/014/george-w-bush-64_able_if-the-iraqi-regime-is-able-to-produce-b_794941.jpg)
![“I think we've got to really get serious. And I'd put it right up there, the next four years, we are gonna get a deliverable nuclear weapon. And what is our president [Donald Trump] going to say that he did about it?” quote by Christopher R. Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fa8/christopher-r-hill-51023_four_i-think-we-ve-got-to-really-get-serious_207531.jpg)
