--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think it is a very important step in…" description: "\"I think it is a very important step in the right direction that the Afghans have taken over responsibility for the security in their own country, and N..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93a/jens-stoltenberg-20145_afghanistan_i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-t_2984373.png" --- # I think it is a very important step in the right direction… ![“I think it is a very important step in the right direction that the Afghans have taken over responsibility for the security in their own country, and NATO being able to end its combat presence in Afghanistan.” quote by Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93a/jens-stoltenberg-20145_afghanistan_i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-t_2984373.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93a/jens-stoltenberg-20145_afghanistan_i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-t_2984373.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93a/jens-stoltenberg-20145_afghanistan_i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-t_2984373.png) > “I think it is a very important step in the right direction that the Afghans have taken over responsibility for the security in their own country, and NATO being able to end its combat presence in Afghanistan.” [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Afghan forces taking security responsibility marks progress, allowing NATO to withdraw combat troops. **In simple terms:** Afghans now lead their security, enabling NATO exit. Key Takeaway Support local capacity for sustainable peace. Themes politics security international relations Mood hopeful strategic Type political military When to use this quote - Defense policy - peacebuilding - foreign aid Key Concepts NATO withdrawal Afghan self‑reliance regional stability Questions to Reflect On - How to ensure smooth transition? - What measures sustain local forces? A Different Perspective Premature handover could risk security gaps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afghanistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) [Afghans Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghans-taken-4657693/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Country Nato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-nato-4115139/) [Direction Afghans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction-afghans-4657692/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [NATO](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nato/) [Presence Afghanistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presence-afghanistan-1842062/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Right direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-direction/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [I don't believe Russia would attack a NATO country or NATO as such, no matter which country we are talking about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kersti-kaljulaid/i-don-t-believe-russia-would-attack-a-nato-country-or-nato-as-such-no/) [Kersti Kaljulaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kersti-kaljulaid/) > [I don't see a bright future for Turkey. It pains me. But I have some hope, I pray for it to be better. 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Canada is a committed ally and a capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/we-had-very-good-discussions-on-current-security-challenges-and-nato/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [We are deploying battle groups, battalions, which we consider necessary to convey a message of deterrence, credible deterrence, that if one NATO ally is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/we-are-deploying-battle-groups-battalions-which-we-consider-necessary/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [I welcome the fact that Trump has clearly stated that NATO is not obsolete.And I think, also, that reflects that NATO is adapting. NATO…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/i-welcome-the-fact-that-trump-has-clearly-stated-that-nato-is-not/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [NATO is based on shared values. Democracy, individual civil liberties and the rule of law. In public and also in meetings with the allies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/nato-is-based-on-shared-values-democracy-individual-civil-liberties/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [The most important thing is to build local capacity, meaning train local forces, build the local defense institutions, defense ministries, command and control, because,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/the-most-important-thing-is-to-build-local-capacity-meaning-train/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [What NATO troops are doing in Afghanistan is to train, assist and advise Afghans, but they are actually doing the fighting. They are actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/what-nato-troops-are-doing-in-afghanistan-is-to-train-assist-and/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [Turkey's a valued ally, important ally for NATO, not the least because of its strategic geographic location, bordering Syria and Iraq and close to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/turkey-s-a-valued-ally-important-ally-for-nato-not-the-least-because/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [Ever since the end of the Cold War, it has been our paramount interest in Europe to strengthen NATO and to extend it -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-malinowski/ever-since-the-end-of-the-cold-war-it-has-been-our-paramount-interest/) [Tom Malinowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-malinowski/) ## More by Jens Stoltenberg > [The answer to violence is even more democracy. Even more humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/the-answer-to-violence-is-even-more-democracy-even-more-humanity/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [Turkey's a valued ally, important ally for NATO, not the least because of its strategic geographic location, bordering Syria and Iraq and close to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/turkey-s-a-valued-ally-important-ally-for-nato-not-the-least-because/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [We are living in a world in which developments are harder to predict and one that has become more uncertain. 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In the rest of western Europe, income has merely doubled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/we-have-a-high-standard-of-living-in-norway-we-ve-tripled-our-income/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [What NATO troops are doing in Afghanistan is to train, assist and advise Afghans, but they are actually doing the fighting. They are actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/what-nato-troops-are-doing-in-afghanistan-is-to-train-assist-and/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [Today we are all Egyptians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/today-we-are-all-egyptians/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [By voting, we add our voice to the chorus that forms opinions and the basis for actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/by-voting-we-add-our-voice-to-the-chorus-that-forms-opinions-and-the/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [The most important thing is to build local capacity, meaning train local forces, build the local defense institutions, defense ministries, command and control, because,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/the-most-important-thing-is-to-build-local-capacity-meaning-train/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [The Norwegian response to violence is more democracy, more openness and greater political participation,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/the-norwegian-response-to-violence-is-more-democracy-more-openness/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [NATO is based on shared values. 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They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [They're criminals, they brutalized Afghanistan, they killed our people, they destroyed our land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-karzai/they-re-criminals-they-brutalized-afghanistan-they-killed-our-people/) [Hamid Karzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-karzai/) > [In 2001, we were told that the war in Afghanistan was a feminist mission. The marines were liberating Afghan women from the Taliban. Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/in-2001-we-were-told-that-the-war-in-afghanistan-was-a-feminist/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of tyranny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-levin/the-terrorist-attacks-of-september-11th-and-the-courageous-actions-of/) [Carl Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-levin/) > [According to a recent Harvard study, $6 trillion, when you include the ongoing healthcare expenses for our wounded soldiers, which is the least they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/according-to-a-recent-harvard-study-6-trillion-when-you-include-the/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [You don't bargain with terrorists. You don't appease terrorists. 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Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-p-schneider/) > [Because Iran understands Afghanistan far better than Americans do, making Iran a partner in a long-term effort to transform Afghan agriculture makes sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/because-iran-understands-afghanistan-far-better-than-americans-do/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/thousands-of-americans-have-given-their-lives-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I have been to Afghanistan many times, even before the Taliban collapsed. I was fascinated by the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/i-have-been-to-afghanistan-many-times-even-before-the-taliban/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [There has been sort of, if you will, a moral interventionism on the part of the United States trying to reshape countries in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/there-has-been-sort-of-if-you-will-a-moral-interventionism-on-the/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The legal system in Afghanistan is very immature and porous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/the-legal-system-in-afghanistan-is-very-immature-and-porous/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) [Browse all 1,159 Afghanistan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think it is a very important step in the right direction that the Afghans have taken over responsibility for the security in their own country, and NATO being able to end its combat presence in Afghanistan.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jens Stoltenberg" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-the-right-direction-that-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afghanistan" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-the-right-direction-that-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93a/jens-stoltenberg-20145_afghanistan_i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-t_2984373.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93a/jens-stoltenberg-20145_afghanistan_i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-t_2984373.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93a/jens-stoltenberg-20145_afghanistan_i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-t_2984373.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think it is a very important step in the right direction that the Afghans have taken over responsibility…” — Jens Stoltenberg", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jens Stoltenberg", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think it is a very...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-the-right-direction-that-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/i-think-it-is-a-very-important-step-in-the-right-direction-that-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```