--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The solution to Iraq -- an Iraq that can…" description: "\"The solution to Iraq -- an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself -- is more than a military mission. Precisely the reason why I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15a/george-w-bush-64_baghdad_the-solution-to-iraq-an-iraq-that-can-go_813936.jpg" --- # The solution to Iraq -- an Iraq that can govern itself… ![“The solution to Iraq -- an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself -- is more than a military mission. Precisely the reason why I sent more troops into Baghdad.” quote by George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15a/george-w-bush-64_baghdad_the-solution-to-iraq-an-iraq-that-can-go_813936.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15a/george-w-bush-64_baghdad_the-solution-to-iraq-an-iraq-that-can-go_813936.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15a/george-w-bush-64_baghdad_the-solution-to-iraq-an-iraq-that-can-go_813936.jpg) > “The solution to Iraq -- an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself -- is more than a military mission. Precisely the reason why I sent more troops into Baghdad.” [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑governance, sustainability, and defense are essential for Iraq’s stability, beyond military presence. **In simple terms:** Iraq needs political and economic independence, not just troops. Key Takeaway Support nation‑building alongside security. Themes politics nation‑building security Mood hopeful serious Type political strategic When to use this quote - post‑war reconstruction - foreign aid - defense policy Key Concepts sovereignty self‑sufficiency Questions to Reflect On - What steps ensure sustainable governance? - How can international partners aid self‑sufficiency? A Different Perspective Military force alone cannot ensure lasting peace. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baghdad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baghdad/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) ## Related quotes > [Today, we are tabling a motion seeking the support of the House for the government's decision to renew our military mission against ISIL for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-harper/today-we-are-tabling-a-motion-seeking-the-support-of-the-house-for/) [Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-harper/) > [I don't wanna say I'm anti-military as my mission is the exact opposite and I'm a unifying force. I'm there to show everybody that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-sydal/i-don-t-wanna-say-i-m-anti-military-as-my-mission-is-the-exact/) [Matt Sydal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-sydal/) > [There is a difference between a military mission and the aspiration for the long-term plans for the country. What we want is a stable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-fox/there-is-a-difference-between-a-military-mission-and-the-aspiration/) [Liam Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-fox/) > [We must not let history repeat itself in Iraq. The reality is there is no military solution in Iraq. This is a sectarian war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-lee/we-must-not-let-history-repeat-itself-in-iraq-the-reality-is-there-is/) [Barbara Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-lee/) > [I strongly believe that a federal structure based on administrative and geographic lines with strong powers for the federated states will be the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/i-strongly-believe-that-a-federal-structure-based-on-administrative/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [ While I was studying film at the Academy, the problems started. I wasn't a political activist directly in the time of Saddam \[Hussein\], because… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hassan-blasim/while-i-was-studying-film-at-the-academy-the-problems-started-i-wasn/) [Hassan Blasim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hassan-blasim/) > [Military solution in Iraq has been disproven and discredited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dodd/military-solution-in-iraq-has-been-disproven-and-discredited/) [Christopher Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dodd/) > [I think that's why they're so really - here's the disconnect. It's sort of this odd and I've always had this problem with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/i-think-that-s-why-they-re-so-really-here-s-the-disconnect-it-s-sort/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [We also know that Iraq is harboring a terrorist network headed by a senior al Qaeda terrorist planner. This network runs a poison and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/we-also-know-that-iraq-is-harboring-a-terrorist-network-headed-by-a/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Pushing legislation that would undercut our troops just as we're beginning to make progress in Baghdad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/pushing-legislation-that-would-undercut-our-troops-just-as-we-re/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I sent American troops to Iraq to make its people free, not to make them American. Iraqis will write their own history and find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-sent-american-troops-to-iraq-to-make-its-people-free-not-to-make/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I strongly believe what we're doing is the right thing. If I didn't believe it -- I'm going to repeat what I said before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-strongly-believe-what-we-re-doing-is-the-right-thing-if-i-didn-t/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I want to remind you all that in order to fight and win the war, it requires an expenditure of money that is commiserate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-want-to-remind-you-all-that-in-order-to-fight-and-win-the-war-it/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I want our enemies to understand that don't think that their violent acts are going to cause this president to leave before the job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-want-our-enemies-to-understand-that-don-t-think-that-their-violent/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [We will make sure our troops have all that is necessary to complete their missions. That's why I went to the Congress last September…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/we-will-make-sure-our-troops-have-all-that-is-necessary-to-complete/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) ## More by George W. Bush > [Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/throughout-our-history-the-words-of-the-declaration-have-inspired/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I recognize I am essentially a failed human being in the sense that I can't possibly live up to the expectations of an Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-recognize-i-am-essentially-a-failed-human-being-in-the-sense-that-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [We will make sure our troops have all that is necessary to complete their missions. That's why I went to the Congress last September…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/we-will-make-sure-our-troops-have-all-that-is-necessary-to-complete/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/for-diplomacy-to-be-effective-words-must-be-credible-and-no-one-can/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [You can fool some of the people all the time, and those are the ones you want to concentrate on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/you-can-fool-some-of-the-people-all-the-time-and-those-are-the-ones/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [If you take all the food aid, America is by far the most generous country. If you take the direct aid, we're very generous.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-you-take-all-the-food-aid-america-is-by-far-the-most-generous/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [The tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-tyrant-has-fallen-and-iraq-is-free/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [“One of our energy strategies is to increase the CAFE standards to 35 miles per hour..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/one-of-our-energy-strategies-is-to-increase-the-cafe-standards-to-35/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [There's a lot that I want to accomplish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/there-s-a-lot-that-i-want-to-accomplish/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [If he's - the inference is that somehow he thinks slavery is a - is a noble institution I would - I would strongly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-he-s-the-inference-is-that-somehow-he-thinks-slavery-is-a-is-a/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [My answer is bring 'em on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/my-answer-is-bring-em-on/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [On 9-11, we discovered that we cannot escape from the world. To me personally, this was a life-changing experience, and I realized, as did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/on-9-11-we-discovered-that-we-cannot-escape-from-the-world-to-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [As Americans, we want peace - we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can be no peace if our security depends on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/as-americans-we-want-peace-we-work-and-sacrifice-for-peace-but-there/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I couldn't imagine somebody like Osama bin Laden understanding the joy of Chanukah.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-couldn-t-imagine-somebody-like-osama-bin-laden-understanding-the/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) [Explore all 1,717 George W. Bush quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) ## More Baghdad quotes > [“I know a feeling like that only comes once in a lifetime, and I think you should follow your heart’s desires. I believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmad-ardalan/i-know-a-feeling-like-that-only-comes-once-in-a-lifetime-and-i-think/) [Ahmad Ardalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmad-ardalan/) > [My dad's Israeli. He was born in Baghdad to Iraqi Jews. Then, at age two, his parents wanted to move to their homeland and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/my-dad-s-israeli-he-was-born-in-baghdad-to-iraqi-jews-then-at-age-two/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [Almost immediately, I remember right when Tikrit even fell, a few days after Baghdad fell, there was talks of insurgency, there was talks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farnaz-fassihi/almost-immediately-i-remember-right-when-tikrit-even-fell-a-few-days/) Farnaz Fassihi > [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/) > [Our military superiority is so great - it's far greater than it was in the Gulf War, and the Gulf War was over in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/our-military-superiority-is-so-great-it-s-far-greater-than-it-was-in/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [The authority of the civil defense ... issued a warning to the civilian population not to pick up any of those pencils because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/the-authority-of-the-civil-defense-issued-a-warning-to-the-civilian/) [Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/) > [The mission statement was ordered, and it sent the 800th MP Brigade, effective the first of July, up to Baghdad. I joined my brigade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janis-karpinski/the-mission-statement-was-ordered-and-it-sent-the-800th-mp-brigade/) [Janis Karpinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janis-karpinski/) > [The senior officer who met with reporters in Baghdad said there had been 21 car bombings in the capital in May, and 126 in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-lowry/the-senior-officer-who-met-with-reporters-in-baghdad-said-there-had/) [Rich Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-lowry/) > [There are people who haven't faced the reality of what has gone on in Iraq. They still think that the old central state is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-w-galbraith/there-are-people-who-haven-t-faced-the-reality-of-what-has-gone-on-in/) Peter W. Galbraith > [If the U.N. secretary-general withdraws the inspectors from Baghdad ... this means that the secretary-general has abandoned its own responsibility in maintaining peace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naji-sabri/if-the-u-n-secretary-general-withdraws-the-inspectors-from-baghdad/) [Naji Sabri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naji-sabri/) > [I think that were I in the middle of an obsession to write about, say, sudden oak death in California or my grandchildren or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hass/i-think-that-were-i-in-the-middle-of-an-obsession-to-write-about-say/) [Robert Hass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hass/) > [They are going to surrender or be burned in their tanks. They will surrender, it is they who will surrender.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/they-are-going-to-surrender-or-be-burned-in-their-tanks-they-will/) [Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/) > [I firmly believed we should not march into Baghdad ...To occupy Iraq would instantly shatter our coalition, turning the whole Arab world against us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-w-bush/i-firmly-believed-we-should-not-march-into-baghdad-to-occupy-iraq/) [George H. W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) > [We're giving them a real lesson today. Heavy doesn't accurately describe the level of casualties we have inflicted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/we-re-giving-them-a-real-lesson-today-heavy-doesn-t-accurately/) [Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/) > [I think that we live in a remarkably networked world. The problem with that, of course, is that tensions can travel in nanoseconds across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eboo-patel/i-think-that-we-live-in-a-remarkably-networked-world-the-problem-with/) [Eboo Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eboo-patel/) [Browse all 191 Baghdad quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baghdad/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The solution to Iraq -- an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself -- is more than a military mission. Precisely the reason why I sent more troops into Baghdad.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George W. 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