Afghanistan Quote by Greg Mortenson
“I'm no military expert, and these figures might not be exactly right,' I said. 'But as best I can tell, we've launched 114 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Afghanistan so far. Now take the cost of one of those missiles, tipped with a Raytheon guidance system, which I think is about $840,000. For that much money, you could build dozens of schools that could provide tens of thousands of students with a balanced, non extremist education over the course of a generation. Which do you think will make us more secure?”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Power of One, 2015
Expensive weapons could be redirected to education, which may yield greater long‑term security than military spending.
In simple terms: Money spent on missiles could fund schools, improving security.
Key Takeaway
Invest in education for lasting safety.
Themes
security
education
budget
military
peacebuilding
Mood
thoughtful
urgent
Type
ethical
strategic
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- NGO planning
- policy advocacy
- community development
- public debate
Key Concepts
cost‑benefit analysis
human development
strategic trade‑offs
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the trade‑offs between defense and education spending?
- How can societies balance immediate security with long‑term stability?
A Different Perspective
Military defense may be necessary in certain contexts.
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