--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Make no mistake, our troops will be in…" description: "\"Make no mistake, our troops will be in Afghanistan and Iraq for a long time.\" — Jerry Costello" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/jerry-costello-22363_afghanistan_make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-af_478889.jpg" --- # Make no mistake, our troops will be in Afghanistan and… ![“Make no mistake, our troops will be in Afghanistan and Iraq for a long time.” quote by Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/jerry-costello-22363_afghanistan_make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-af_478889.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/jerry-costello-22363_afghanistan_make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-af_478889.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/jerry-costello-22363_afghanistan_make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-af_478889.jpg) > “Make no mistake, our troops will be in Afghanistan and Iraq for a long time.” [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker warns that U.S. forces will remain deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq for an extended period. **In simple terms:** U.S. troops will stay in those wars for a long time. Key Takeaway Prepare for prolonged commitment. Themes military policy conflict commitment geopolitics Mood cautious serious reflective Type political analytical warning When to use this quote - defense planning - voter awareness - media analysis - family support - budgeting Key Concepts foreign policy war fatigue strategic endurance Questions to Reflect On - How should policymakers balance strategic goals with domestic costs? - What are the long‑term impacts on service members and their families? A Different Perspective Prolonged presence may strain resources and public support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afghanistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Make no mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-no-mistake/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) ## Related quotes > [ It still puts burden on some troops of ours who are there \[in Afghanistan and Iraq\] as advisors and facilitators. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-still-puts-burden-on-some-troops-of-ours-who-are-there-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Look at the violence in Pakistan and the presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan: the more troops we put in the more violent Pakistan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hastings/look-at-the-violence-in-pakistan-and-the-presence-of-u-s-troops-in/) [Michael Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hastings/) > [I have a very deep concern about President Obama putting in another 21,000 troops into Afghanistan with the promise of more to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mcgovern/i-have-a-very-deep-concern-about-president-obama-putting-in-another/) [George McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mcgovern/) > [We know definitively that Al-Qaida isn't all over Afghanistan anymore. According to CIA estimates, there are less than a hundred Al-Qaida members in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/we-know-definitively-that-al-qaida-isn-t-all-over-afghanistan-anymore/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military - we seek no military bases there. It is agonizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-do-not-want-to-keep-our-troops-in-afghanistan-we-see-no-military/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ And the last thing that I want to see us do is ask more and more of our troops \[in Afghanistan \] without guaranteeing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/and-the-last-thing-that-i-want-to-see-us-do-is-ask-more-and-more-of/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [ We have fewer troops in Afghanistan than we had law enforcement \[officers\] at the Olympics in Salt Lake City. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-have-fewer-troops-in-afghanistan-than-we-had-law-enforcement/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Without U.S. troops, Afghanistan, like Iraq, could descend into chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-boot/without-u-s-troops-afghanistan-like-iraq-could-descend-into-chaos/) [Max Boot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-boot/) > [Like Afghanistan before it, Iraq is only one theater in a regional war. We were attacked by a network of terrorist organizations supported by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ledeen/like-afghanistan-before-it-iraq-is-only-one-theater-in-a-regional-war/) [Michael Ledeen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ledeen/) > [I think of all the guys that strap a gun on their backs and head to Afghanistan and Iraq to keep us free and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foster-friess/i-think-of-all-the-guys-that-strap-a-gun-on-their-backs-and-head-to/) [Foster Friess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foster-friess/) > [ I remind you again we had those elections \[in Afghanistan and Iraq\] because we had boots on the ground and we had people that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schoomaker/i-remind-you-again-we-had-those-elections-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/) Peter Schoomaker > [ We don't have this huge footprint, we are less likely to be targeted as, you know, occupiers \[in Afghanistan and Iraq\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-don-t-have-this-huge-footprint-we-are-less-likely-to-be-targeted/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The United States has been essentially engaged in an ongoing war that most people date from 2001. That war has taken us to Afghanistan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/the-united-states-has-been-essentially-engaged-in-an-ongoing-war-that/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [I think indeed our response on counterinsurgency needs to be finely tuned to the needs of Afghanistan. This is not Iraq. We don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/i-think-indeed-our-response-on-counterinsurgency-needs-to-be-finely/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [The war being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq is bringing about a fundamental change to the environment that has given rise and power to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-l-thomas/the-war-being-fought-in-afghanistan-and-iraq-is-bringing-about-a/) [Craig L. Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-l-thomas/) ## More by Jerry Costello > [Train service is particularly vital for the students and employees of Southern Illinois University.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/train-service-is-particularly-vital-for-the-students-and-employees-of/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [Every day more Americans watch their jobs being shipped overseas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/every-day-more-americans-watch-their-jobs-being-shipped-overseas/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [Mr. Speaker, genocide is the most potent of all crimes against humanity because it is an effort to systematically wipe out a people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/mr-speaker-genocide-is-the-most-potent-of-all-crimes-against-humanity/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [The State of Israel has faced obstacles and challenges to its very survival, with conventional military attacks leading the way to suicide bombers who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/the-state-of-israel-has-faced-obstacles-and-challenges-to-its-very/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [Almost 70 percent of U.S. ag exports travel the upper Mississippi River and the Illinois waterway system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/almost-70-percent-of-u-s-ag-exports-travel-the-upper-mississippi/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [As Members of Congress and people of conscience, we must work to overcome the indifference and distortions of history, and ensure that future generations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/as-members-of-congress-and-people-of-conscience-we-must-work-to/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [Through these adversities, Israel has endured with continued strength, conviction, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/through-these-adversities-israel-has-endured-with-continued-strength/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [Pope John Paul II brought hope to all corners of the world, to people of all faiths and backgrounds, with his powerful belief in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/pope-john-paul-ii-brought-hope-to-all-corners-of-the-world-to-people/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [This Nation has realized significant environmental improvements over the last three decades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/this-nation-has-realized-significant-environmental-improvements-over/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [We have an extensive system of highways, ports, locks and dams, and airports.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/we-have-an-extensive-system-of-highways-ports-locks-and-dams-and/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [Coal is absolutely critical to our nation's economic health and global competitiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/coal-is-absolutely-critical-to-our-nation-s-economic-health-and/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [Population growth and development place additional stress on the Nation's water infrastructure and its ability to sustain hard-won water quality gains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/population-growth-and-development-place-additional-stress-on-the/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [Every day, hundreds of thousands of men and women protect and serve, often putting their own lives at risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/every-day-hundreds-of-thousands-of-men-and-women-protect-and-serve/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [Maintaining clean, safe water remains one of our greatest national and global challenges and responsibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/maintaining-clean-safe-water-remains-one-of-our-greatest-national-and/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) > [With faith and courage, generations of Armenians have overcome great suffering and proudly preserved their culture, traditions, and religion and have told the story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/with-faith-and-courage-generations-of-armenians-have-overcome-great/) [Jerry Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) [Explore all 27 Jerry Costello quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/) ## More Afghanistan quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/from-the-bitter-cold-winter-at-valley-forge-to-the-mountains-of/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. 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. And anybody who believes that this is about something we've done has to ask themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chertoff/you-don-t-bargain-with-terrorists-you-don-t-appease-terrorists-and/) [Michael Chertoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chertoff/) > [“I stood with my mom in the cemetery. She felt terrible pain. My grandmother is with God. My mom has to continue living. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-elliot/i-stood-with-my-mom-in-the-cemetery-she-felt-terrible-pain-my/) [Tucker Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-elliot/) > [The most successful cultural diplomacy strategy integrates people-to-people or arts/culture/media-to-people interactions into the basic business of diplomacy. The programs in Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-p-schneider/the-most-successful-cultural-diplomacy-strategy-integrates-people-to/) [Cynthia P. 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": "Make no mistake, our troops will be in Afghanistan and Iraq for a long time.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jerry Costello" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-afghanistan-and-iraq-for-a-long/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afghanistan" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-afghanistan-and-iraq-for-a-long/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/jerry-costello-22363_afghanistan_make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-af_478889.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/jerry-costello-22363_afghanistan_make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-af_478889.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/jerry-costello-22363_afghanistan_make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-af_478889.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Make no mistake, our troops will be in Afghanistan and Iraq for a long time.” — Jerry Costello", "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": "Jerry Costello", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-costello/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Make no mistake, our troops will...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-afghanistan-and-iraq-for-a-long/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-costello/make-no-mistake-our-troops-will-be-in-afghanistan-and-iraq-for-a-long/#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 } } ] } ```