--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you take a look at Afghan history…" description: "\"If you take a look at Afghan history, usually they have united to defend against an outside enemy, and as soon as that's accomplished, they turn and st..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a58/lawrence-eagleburger-19898_accomplished_if-you-take-a-look-at-afghan-history-usu_704146.png" --- # If you take a look at Afghan history, usually they have… ![“If you take a look at Afghan history, usually they have united to defend against an outside enemy, and as soon as that's accomplished, they turn and start killing each other. This internal instability is a constant invitation to outside forces to come in. I have to think that after the awful years…” quote by Lawrence Eagleburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a58/lawrence-eagleburger-19898_accomplished_if-you-take-a-look-at-afghan-history-usu_704146.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a58/lawrence-eagleburger-19898_accomplished_if-you-take-a-look-at-afghan-history-usu_704146.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a58/lawrence-eagleburger-19898_accomplished_if-you-take-a-look-at-afghan-history-usu_704146.png) > “If you take a look at Afghan history, usually they have united to defend against an outside enemy, and as soon as that's accomplished, they turn and start killing each other. This internal instability is a constant invitation to outside forces to come in. I have to think that after the awful years of the Taliban, most Afghans would want to remain at peace, and get the benefits of the new freedom they've found. But I can't be sure that old habits won't reassert themselves.” [Lawrence Eagleburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-eagleburger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Afghanistan historically unites against external threats but then descends into internal conflict, inviting further foreign intervention. **In simple terms:** Afghans unite against outsiders, then fight each other, risking more invasions. Key Takeaway Recognize patterns of internal division to prevent external exploitation. Themes politics conflict history foreign policy Mood cautious reflective Type analytical political When to use this quote - peacebuilding - government reform - regional diplomacy - civil society strengthening Key Concepts state cohesion cycle of violence external intervention post‑war reconstruction Questions to Reflect On - How can lasting unity be fostered after conflict? - What mechanisms prevent old rivalries from resurfacing? A Different Perspective Internal divisions may persist despite desire for peace, making stability fragile. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afghans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghans/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Instability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instability/) [Invitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invitations/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing/) [Old habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-habits/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [The people suffering most from the Taliban were Afghans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/the-people-suffering-most-from-the-taliban-were-afghans/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [It also seems that the Afghans themselves want to avail themselves of this opportunity and all recognize that the UN is uniquely qualified to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lakhdar-brahimi/it-also-seems-that-the-afghans-themselves-want-to-avail-themselves-of/) [Lakhdar Brahimi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lakhdar-brahimi/) > [“They are a testament not only to the Afghans' hunger for literacy, but also to their willingness to pour scarce resources into this effort,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-mortenson/they-are-a-testament-not-only-to-the-afghans-hunger-for-literacy-but/) [Greg Mortenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-mortenson/) > [The fact that there are no longer large units of Al Qaeda running around means you don't need B-52s. 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