Abroad Quote by John O. Brennan
“As we've seen, deploying large armies abroad won't always be our best offense. Countries typically don't want foreign soldiers in their cities and towns.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on foreign policy, 2022
Deploying troops abroad often backfires because local populations resist foreign military presence.
In simple terms: Foreign troops are unpopular.
Key Takeaway
Avoid large overseas deployments.
Themes
military strategy
public opinion
sovereignty
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
policy
analysis
When to use this quote
- peacekeeping missions
- nation building
- counterterrorism
- humanitarian aid
Key Concepts
counterinsurgency
political risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a nation protect interests without troops?
- What alternatives exist to military presence?
A Different Perspective
Local resistance can undermine objectives despite military strength.
![“It occurred to me that if I could invent a machine - a gun - which could by its rapidity of fire, enable one man to do as much battle duty as a hundred, that it would, to a large extent supersede the necessity of large armies, and consequently, exposure to battle and disease [would] be greatly…” quote by Richard Jordan Gatling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/688/richard-jordan-gatling-272677_army_it-occurred-to-me-that-if-i-could-invent_1609760.jpg)
