Goals Quote by Henry A. Kissinger
“You should not go to war for the privilege of withdrawal. You need to define your objective and the outcome, and it cannot be the removal of one man.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on War and Policy, Henry A. Kissinger, 1973
War should not be pursued for the sake of retreat; clear objectives must guide actions, not merely removing an individual.
In simple terms: War needs purpose beyond personal removal.
Key Takeaway
Define clear goals before engaging in conflict.
Themes
war
ethics
objectives
policy
leadership
Mood
serious
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- military planning
- diplomacy
- policy making
- peace negotiations
Key Concepts
strategic theory
political morality
conflict resolution
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a just war objective?
- How can leaders ensure ethical war aims?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on objectives can ignore humanitarian costs.
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![“Before the Freedom of Information Act, I used to say at meetings "The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." [...] But since the Freedom of Information Act, I'm afraid to say things like that.” quote by Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6dc/henry-a-kissinger-1068_freedom_before-the-freedom-of-information-act-i_25339.jpg)
