--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In other words, for every 10 enemy you…" description: "\"In other words, for every 10 enemy you kill you bring on 20 new recruits to their anti-coalition cause then essentially you are working against yoursel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/john-abizaid-16647_against_in-other-words-for-every-10-enemy-you-ki_1258944.jpg" --- # In other words, for every 10 enemy you kill you bring on… ![“In other words, for every 10 enemy you kill you bring on 20 new recruits to their anti-coalition cause then essentially you are working against yourself.” quote by John Abizaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/john-abizaid-16647_against_in-other-words-for-every-10-enemy-you-ki_1258944.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/john-abizaid-16647_against_in-other-words-for-every-10-enemy-you-ki_1258944.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a9/john-abizaid-16647_against_in-other-words-for-every-10-enemy-you-ki_1258944.jpg) > “In other words, for every 10 enemy you kill you bring on 20 new recruits to their anti-coalition cause then essentially you are working against yourself.” [John Abizaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-abizaid/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Killing enemies often fuels insurgent recruitment, undermining strategic goals. **In simple terms:** Violence can backfire by creating more enemies. Key Takeaway Avoid tactics that generate more opposition. Themes counterinsurgency strategic planning unintended consequences Mood cautious analytical Type strategic military When to use this quote - military operations - policy making - conflict zones Key Concepts blowback cycle of violence Questions to Reflect On - How can forces minimize blowback? - What alternatives reduce recruitment? A Different Perspective Violence may be necessary in some contexts, but must be measured. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) ## Related quotes > [If we want to defeat Islamic State, we first have to arrive at a cease-fire agreement in Syria. 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In other words, a really good piece of music is more than itself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-ma/a-composition-is-always-more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-in-other-words/) [Yo-Yo Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-ma/) ## More by John Abizaid > [But as we move from this period of what many Iraqis regard as perceived occupation, we need to move towards one of partnership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-abizaid/but-as-we-move-from-this-period-of-what-many-iraqis-regard-as/) [John Abizaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-abizaid/) > [Capturing any member of any terrorist cell or any insurgent cell that we may happen to come across is always very, very valuable, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-abizaid/capturing-any-member-of-any-terrorist-cell-or-any-insurgent-cell-that/) [John Abizaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-abizaid/) > [As far as Zarqawi is concerned, there is a network of extremists; it's not just Zarqawi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-abizaid/as-far-as-zarqawi-is-concerned-there-is-a-network-of-extremists-it-s/) [John Abizaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-abizaid/) > [And over time, I think, as Iraqi security capacity builds, you'll see American and coalition presence there decline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-abizaid/and-over-time-i-think-as-iraqi-security-capacity-builds-you-ll-see/) [John Abizaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-abizaid/) > [The United States is the most powerful nation on Earth and it just can't walk away from the Middle East and central Asia and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-abizaid/the-united-states-is-the-most-powerful-nation-on-earth-and-it-just/) [John Abizaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-abizaid/) > [Clearly the Secretary of Defense, my boss, would like nothing better than to get Osama bin Laden and to get... to ensure the complete…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-abizaid/clearly-the-secretary-of-defense-my-boss-would-like-nothing-better/) [John Abizaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-abizaid/) > [You know as well as I do that counterinsurgency is a very nuanced type of military operation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-abizaid/you-know-as-well-as-i-do-that-counterinsurgency-is-a-very-nuanced/) [John Abizaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-abizaid/) > [But my Arabic is pretty good. 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