Able Quote by John Kasich
![“I don't understand this thing about [Bashar] Assad. He has to go. Assad is aligned with Iran and Russia. The one thing we want to prevent is we want to prevent Iran being able to extend a Shia crescent all across the Middle East. Assad has got to go.” quote by John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/052/john-kasich-1650_able_i-don-t-understand-this-thing-about-bash_2041421.jpg)
“I don't understand this thing about [Bashar] Assad. He has to go. Assad is aligned with Iran and Russia. The one thing we want to prevent is we want to prevent Iran being able to extend a Shia crescent all across the Middle East. Assad has got to go.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political commentary, 2022
Removing a destabilizing leader prevents regional power shifts and protects broader security.
In simple terms: Remove destabilizing leaders.
Key Takeaway
Support actions that curb hostile influence.
Themes
politics
security
regional stability
Mood
concerned
serious
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- diplomatic negotiations
- military planning
Key Concepts
geopolitics
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What diplomatic alternatives exist?
- How can long‑term stability be ensured after removal?
A Different Perspective
Complex regional dynamics may require nuanced approaches beyond removal.
![“Part of the problem that we have currently in the Middle East is that[Bashar] Assad has hung on to power with the very strong support of Russia and Iran and with the proxy of Hezbollah being there basically fighting his battles.” quote by Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/49b/hillary-clinton-51_assad_part-of-the-problem-that-we-have-current_1928295.jpg)
![“We have to get rid of ISIS first. After we get rid of ISIS, we'll start thinking about it. But we can't be fighting [Bashar] Assad. And when you're fighting Assad, you are fighting Russia, you're fighting - you're fighting a lot of different groups.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/488/donald-trump-18_assad_we-have-to-get-rid-of-isis-first-after-w_2613569.jpg)
![“The one way, possibly, out of this is for [Bashar] Assad to abdicate and plead, perhaps to Russia or somewhere else. Would save another wave of civilian casualties if we could get him to abdicate.” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c1/rand-paul-606_assad_the-one-way-possibly-out-of-this-is-for_2248070.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)
![“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 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)
![“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)
![“I think we can all agree [Bashar] Assad is a bad and evil actor, but I'm not so sure that we want the Islamic rebels to be in charge of Syria either.” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/065/rand-paul-606_actors_i-think-we-can-all-agree-bashar-assad-is_2125585.jpg)
![“I mean, all of these things that [Bashar Assad] has done, there's no way even if President Obama wanted to just play along that you could actually achieve peace, because there are 65 million Sunni in between Baghdad and the border of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, who will never, ever again accept Assad…” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bfd/john-f-kerry-996_accepting_i-mean-all-of-these-things-that-bashar-a_3077391.jpg)
