--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm for fighting a war on terrorism, not…" description: "\"I'm for fighting a war on terrorism, not a war in Southwest Asia that Alexander the Great couldn't win, the British Empire couldn't win, the Soviet Uni..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/kurt-schrader-56718_alexander_i-m-for-fighting-a-war-on-terrorism-not_2037366.jpg" --- # I'm for fighting a war on terrorism, not a war in… ![“I'm for fighting a war on terrorism, not a war in Southwest Asia that Alexander the Great couldn't win, the British Empire couldn't win, the Soviet Union couldn't win. That's stupid. It's a waste of resources; a waste of America's best and brightest.” quote by Kurt Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/kurt-schrader-56718_alexander_i-m-for-fighting-a-war-on-terrorism-not_2037366.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/kurt-schrader-56718_alexander_i-m-for-fighting-a-war-on-terrorism-not_2037366.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/kurt-schrader-56718_alexander_i-m-for-fighting-a-war-on-terrorism-not_2037366.jpg) > “I'm for fighting a war on terrorism, not a war in Southwest Asia that Alexander the Great couldn't win, the British Empire couldn't win, the Soviet Union couldn't win. That's stupid. It's a waste of resources; a waste of America's best and brightest.” [Kurt Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-schrader/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates focusing on terrorism itself rather than costly, unwinnable regional conflicts that drain resources and talent. **In simple terms:** Target terrorism, not endless wars. Key Takeaway Prioritize direct anti‑terrorism efforts. Themes war terrorism policy resource allocation Mood critical analytical Type political strategic When to use this quote - defense budgeting - foreign policy planning - national security strategy Key Concepts strategic focus military history political risk Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance direct action with addressing root causes? - What criteria define a “winnable” conflict? A Different Perspective May overlook underlying geopolitical causes of terrorism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Asia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asia/) [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [British empire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british-empire/) [Empire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empire/) [Southwest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southwest/) [Soviet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soviet/) [Soviet union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soviet-union/) [Terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) [Win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win/) ## Related quotes > [“They erased the empire. They couldn’t erase the recipes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelika-regossi/they-erased-the-empire-they-couldn-t-erase-the-recipes/) [Angelika Regossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelika-regossi/) > [How can you have a war on terrorism when war itself is terrorism?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/how-can-you-have-a-war-on-terrorism-when-war-itself-is-terrorism/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [I believe that the war against terrorism and the war against poverty in these times of turmoil go together. So you - when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-macapagal-arroyo/i-believe-that-the-war-against-terrorism-and-the-war-against-poverty/) [Gloria Macapagal Arroyo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-macapagal-arroyo/) > [“How can you have a war on terrorism while war itself is terrorism!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/how-can-you-have-a-war-on-terrorism-while-war-itself-is-terrorism/) [HOWARD ZINN](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [Terrorism is the war of the poor, and war is the terrorism of the rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ustinov/terrorism-is-the-war-of-the-poor-and-war-is-the-terrorism-of-the-rich/) [Peter Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ustinov/) > [Since war itself is the most extreme form of terrorism, a war on terrorism is profoundly self-contradictory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/since-war-itself-is-the-most-extreme-form-of-terrorism-a-war-on/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [When you have war, whether it's a war against drugs, war against terrorism, war overseas, the mentality of the people change and they're more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/when-you-have-war-whether-it-s-a-war-against-drugs-war-against/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [It's a nonsense assumption that you can get rid of terrorism with war. Terrorism is taking the lives of innocent people to gain your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-sharp/it-s-a-nonsense-assumption-that-you-can-get-rid-of-terrorism-with-war/) [Gene Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-sharp/) > [I've made it clear, Madam President, that the war against terrorism is not a war against Muslims, nor is it a war against Arabs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-ve-made-it-clear-madam-president-that-the-war-against-terrorism-is/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Wanton killing of innocent civilians is terrorism, not a war against terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/wanton-killing-of-innocent-civilians-is-terrorism-not-a-war-against/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The war against terrorism is a war against those who engage in torture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-markey/the-war-against-terrorism-is-a-war-against-those-who-engage-in-torture/) [Ed Markey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-markey/) > [War is a lie. War is a racket. War is hell. War is waste. War is a crime. War is terrorism. War is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coleen-rowley/war-is-a-lie-war-is-a-racket-war-is-hell-war-is-waste-war-is-a-crime/) Coleen Rowley > [Beyond the futility of armed force, and ultimately more important, is the fact that war in our time inevitably results in the indiscriminate killing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/beyond-the-futility-of-armed-force-and-ultimately-more-important-is/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [It is time we admitted that we are not at war with “terrorism.” We are at war with Islam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/it-is-time-we-admitted-that-we-are-not-at-war-with-terrorism-we-are/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [War can't end terrorism. War is terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-berrigan/war-can-t-end-terrorism-war-is-terrorism/) [Philip Berrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-berrigan/) ## More by Kurt Schrader > [I firmly believe that if members of Congress fail to perform their most basic duty in passing a budget, then they do not deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-schrader/i-firmly-believe-that-if-members-of-congress-fail-to-perform-their/) [Kurt Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-schrader/) > [I am open and willing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a variety of appropriate measures we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-schrader/i-am-open-and-willing-to-work-with-my-colleagues-on-both-sides-of-the/) [Kurt Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-schrader/) > [I'm big on this 'no budget, no pay.' I think that's important. Let's get right at the heart of the issue. Even when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-schrader/i-m-big-on-this-no-budget-no-pay-i-think-that-s-important-let-s-get/) [Kurt Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-schrader/) > [In the ever-evolving society we live in, it is the responsibility of all of us, as individuals and as Americans, to rid ourselves of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-schrader/in-the-ever-evolving-society-we-live-in-it-is-the-responsibility-of/) [Kurt Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-schrader/) > [At the end of the day, if it looks like you're not going to get paid, you might be willing to compromise to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-schrader/at-the-end-of-the-day-if-it-looks-like-you-re-not-going-to-get-paid/) [Kurt Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-schrader/) [Explore all 6 Kurt Schrader quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-schrader/) ## More Alexander quotes > [I actually sat down and started three Alexanders at the same time. Two of them went in the trash and got stomped on because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-viorst/i-actually-sat-down-and-started-three-alexanders-at-the-same-time-two/) [Judith Viorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-viorst/) > [Homer, Hesiod, Pythagoras, Plato, and Cicero, just to name a few, all lived in pagan societies. Some of the greatest political and military leaders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-myers/homer-hesiod-pythagoras-plato-and-cicero-just-to-name-a-few-all-lived/) [Brendan Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-myers/) > [Life is life, Girls are girls and boys are boys, they change here and there.. BUT ALEXANDER remains the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asking-alexander/life-is-life-girls-are-girls-and-boys-are-boys-they-change-here-and/) Asking Alexander > [“I am acting, then," continued Alexander, "only on the defensive. The gods, who always favor the right, have given me the victory. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-abbott/i-am-acting-then-continued-alexander-only-on-the-defensive-the-gods/) [Jacob Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-abbott/) > [Lucius Cassius ille quem populus Romanus verissimum et sapientissimum iudicem putabat identidem in causis quaerere solebat 'cui bono' fuisset. The famous Lucius Cassius, whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/lucius-cassius-ille-quem-populus-romanus-verissimum-et-sapientissimum/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“That valiant Macedonian supreme commander and emperor Alexander, in his thirties and the future Indian captain-general and emperor Chandragupta just on the threshold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savarkar/that-valiant-macedonian-supreme-commander-and-emperor-alexander-in/) Savarkar > [“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/alexander-the-coppersmith-did-me-great-harm-the-lord-will-repay-him/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When Alexander saw the depth of his empire he wept for there were no more worlds to concquer. Benefits of a classical education.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-gruber/when-alexander-saw-the-depth-of-his-empire-he-wept-for-there-were-no/) Hans Gruber > [“Annabeth nodded. "That's right.Alexander conquered Egypt.After he died, his general Ptolemy took over. He wanted the Egyptians to accept him as their pharaoh, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/annabeth-nodded-that-s-right-alexander-conquered-egypt-after-he-died/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“As Alexander would confess years later, sex and sleep more than anything else reminded him that he was mortal. One”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-freeman/as-alexander-would-confess-years-later-sex-and-sleep-more-than/) [Philip Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-freeman/) > [I'm a London girl, so I grew up on Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood... Dior, Chanel, the usual suspects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/i-m-a-london-girl-so-i-grew-up-on-alexander-mcqueen-and-vivienne/) [Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/) > [When I did 'Racing Demon' by David Hare, I worked with Paul Giamatti, who had stacks of books in his dressing room. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-o-hare/when-i-did-racing-demon-by-david-hare-i-worked-with-paul-giamatti-who/) [Denis O'Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-o-hare/) > [Alexander III of Macedon is known as Alexander the Great because he killed more people of more different kinds than any other man of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/alexander-iii-of-macedon-is-known-as-alexander-the-great-because-he/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [“Alexander's mere name and the fame of his feats raised rulers and realms across virtually the whole world. And those who kept control of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-chugg/alexander-s-mere-name-and-the-fame-of-his-feats-raised-rulers-and/) [Andrew Chugg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-chugg/) > [Where did he go!” he bellowed, gloved hands clenching. “I had him in a snare that would take Alexander the Great a lifetime to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/where-did-he-go-he-bellowed-gloved-hands-clenching-i-had-him-in-a/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) Browse all 230 Alexander quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm for fighting a war on terrorism, not a war in Southwest Asia that Alexander the Great couldn't win, the British Empire couldn't win, the Soviet Union couldn't win. That's stupid. 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