Fighting Quote by Michael Hastings
“Even on just the career level for your average officer, there's no incentive to end the wars. There's not even an incentive for these think-tank guys to end the wars. They would never admit it and say, "Oh, how could we at the Center for a New American Security not want the wars to end?" Well then, why the hell are you continuing to promote strategies that will keep us fighting for years?”
About This Quote
Source Article: "The War Machine" in Rolling Stone, 2011
Officials and analysts lack motivation to end wars because ending them removes their purpose and funding.
In simple terms: War proponents have no incentive to stop fighting.
Key Takeaway
Address structural incentives that perpetuate conflict.
Themes
politics
war
incentives
policy
military strategy
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- legislative hearings
- military budgeting
- public advocacy
Key Concepts
conflict of interest
defense economics
strategic stagnation
Questions to Reflect On
- What reforms could realign incentives toward peace?
- How do think‑tanks influence war policies?
A Different Perspective
Changing incentives may face entrenched institutional resistance.
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