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Administration Quote by John F. Kerry

“Regime change has been an American policy under the Clinton administration, and it is the current policy. I support the policy. But regime change in and of itself is not sufficient justification for going to war--particularly unilaterally--unless regime change is the only way to disarm Iraq of the…” quote by John F. Kerry
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“Regime change has been an American policy under the Clinton administration, and it is the current policy. I support the policy. But regime change in and of itself is not sufficient justification for going to war--particularly unilaterally--unless regime change is the only way to disarm Iraq of the weapons of mass destruction pursuant to the United Nations resolution.”

John F. Kerry

About This Quote

Source Speech: Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 2002

Regime change alone isn’t enough justification for war; it must be linked to UN‑mandated disarmament of WMDs.

In simple terms: War needs more than regime change.

Key Takeaway

Tie military action to clear UN goals.

Themes

war policy UN resolutions

Mood

formal analytical

Type

political strategic

When to use this quote

  • policy debate
  • military planning
  • diplomacy

Key Concepts

international law security studies

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is regime change justified?
  • How can we ensure UN compliance?
A Different Perspective

May ignore humanitarian motives.

3.0 out of 5 (9 ratings)

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