--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sure, we have an obstacle, ISIS. They can…" description: "\"Sure, we have an obstacle, ISIS. They can do great damage. They can do great damage and they scare the living hell out of everybody with good reason. B..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/joe-biden-454_actors_sure-we-have-an-obstacle-isis-they-can-d_1597675.jpg" --- # Sure, we have an obstacle, ISIS. They can do great damage… ![“Sure, we have an obstacle, ISIS. They can do great damage. They can do great damage and they scare the living hell out of everybody with good reason. But they are, instead of dealing with nation-states that are arranged against us, we're to deal with non-state actors that can do damage to us. But…” quote by Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/joe-biden-454_actors_sure-we-have-an-obstacle-isis-they-can-d_1597675.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/joe-biden-454_actors_sure-we-have-an-obstacle-isis-they-can-d_1597675.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/joe-biden-454_actors_sure-we-have-an-obstacle-isis-they-can-d_1597675.jpg) > “Sure, we have an obstacle, ISIS. They can do great damage. They can do great damage and they scare the living hell out of everybody with good reason. But they are, instead of dealing with nation-states that are arranged against us, we're to deal with non-state actors that can do damage to us. But this is within our control. We are beginning to make genuine progress as to how we isolate them, how we take them out. We're in a situation - I mean, I just could go on. But I am - the only generic criticism I had is we're not talking about the possibilities.” [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Non‑state threats like ISIS require targeted, controllable strategies rather than confronting nation‑states directly. **In simple terms:** Focus on controllable threats. Key Takeaway Prioritize precise counter‑terrorism. Themes security terrorism strategy control Mood hopeful determined Type policy strategic When to use this quote - government policy - military operations - intelligence analysis - public communication Key Concepts non‑state actors isolation tactics policy planning Questions to Reflect On - What are the limits of isolating threats? - How can we balance immediate action with long‑term strategy? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on control may overlook broader geopolitical factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Damage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/damage/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Generic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generic/) [Genuine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genuine/) [Goes on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goes-on/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Isis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/isis/) [Isis Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/isis-great-6068579/) [Isolate Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/isolate-situation-6068580/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Not talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-talking/) [Obstacle Isis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacle-isis-6068578/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Scare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scare/) [Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situation/) [State Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-actors-1005249/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) ## Related quotes > [Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. 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They can do great damage and they scare the living hell out of everybody with good reason. But they are, instead of dealing with nation-states that are arranged against us, we're to deal with non-state actors that can do damage to us. But this is within our control. We are beginning to make genuine progress as to how we isolate them, how we take them out. We're in a situation - I mean, I just could go on. 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