Assad Quote by John F. Kerry
![“[Bashar] Assad himself has said on several occasions recently that if the people of Syria don't believe I should be there in the future, then I would step - I would leave. He has said it. He has, on occasion, hinted that he wants a political settlement of one kind or another. I think it's up to…” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4e/john-f-kerry-996_assad_bashar-assad-himself-has-said-on-several_789819.jpg)
“[Bashar] Assad himself has said on several occasions recently that if the people of Syria don't believe I should be there in the future, then I would step - I would leave. He has said it. He has, on occasion, hinted that he wants a political settlement of one kind or another. I think it's up to his supporters, his strongest supporters, to make it clear to him that if you're going to save Syria, Assad has made a set of choices - barrel bombing children, gassing his people, torturing his people, engaging in starvation as a tactic of war.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Press conference, 2012
Kerry emphasizes that Assad’s actions, including violence against civilians, make it impossible for supporters to claim he should remain in power, urging them to make his choices clear.
In simple terms: Assad’s violent actions disqualify him from support; supporters must oppose him.
Key Takeaway
Hold leaders accountable for atrocities.
Themes
politics
human rights
conflict
leadership
Mood
serious
determined
Type
political
advocacy
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- humanitarian advocacy
- international negotiations
- public statements
Key Concepts
accountability
ethical governance
war crimes
Questions to Reflect On
- How can supporters effectively pressure Assad?
- What alternatives exist for Syrian governance?
A Different Perspective
Political realities may limit immediate action.
![“If [Bashar] Assad himself could save this whole process by saying, "I will engage in a managed transition where we all work together to stabilize the government, save the institutions of government, and turn on ISIL and preserve Syria." That could happen. It all depends on one man, and Russia and…” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/999/john-f-kerry-996_assad_if-bashar-assad-himself-could-save-this_309200.jpg)
![“You cannot bring peace in Syria as long as [Bashar] Assad is, in fact, there.” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/41d/john-f-kerry-996_assad_you-cannot-bring-peace-in-syria-as-long_56711.jpg)
![“[Bashar] Assad has made a series of choices ever since then that is literally destroying his country.” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9bb/john-f-kerry-996_assad_bashar-assad-has-made-a-series-of-choice_2601115.jpg)
![“I would only go to Syria to destroy ISIS. I would not use U.S. troops to depose Assad. But I would support the rebels there. It's okay to support those people who share your view. But for the United States to be embroiled in a civil war in Syria against [Bashr] Assad I think is a big mistake.” quote by John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4a7/john-kasich-1650_assad_i-would-only-go-to-syria-to-destroy-isis_2685480.jpg)
![“People talk about [Bashar] Assad running Syria. He doesn't control his own country. He's down to about 20, 25 percent of the country. What is this fiction that he is somehow the only person who can save Syria? There's - with Assad there, there is no Syria. So that's what the Iranians and the…” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f3d/john-f-kerry-996_assad_people-talk-about-bashar-assad-running-s_24339.jpg)
![“We have to do one thing at a time. We can't be fighting ISIS and fighting [Bashar]Assad. Assad is fighting ISIS. He is fighting ISIS. Russia is fighting now ISIS. And Iran is fighting ISIS.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bca/donald-trump-18_assad_we-have-to-do-one-thing-at-a-time-we-can_115458.jpg)
![“[Bashar] Assad is one of the main reasons why ISIS even exists to begin with. Assad is a puppet of Iran.” quote by Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8b6/marco-rubio-355_assad_bashar-assad-is-one-of-the-main-reasons_154139.jpg)
![“I think those who have wanted regime [of Bashar Assad] change have made a mistake.” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6b2/rand-paul-606_assad_i-think-those-who-have-wanted-regime-of_280205.jpg)
