Capability Quote by Michael Scheuer
“I don't know what our capabilities are. If I were there, I think it would be nutty to do that. The only country on Earth more containable than Iran is Iraq. And we've certainly made a mistake there. We could have continued Saddam.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: PBS Frontline, 2005
He reflects on misjudgments in foreign policy, especially regarding Iraq and Iran, noting the difficulty of predicting outcomes.
In simple terms: Misjudging foreign policy leads to costly mistakes.
Consider consequences before intervening.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy planning
- diplomatic negotiations
- military decisions
- public statements
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we improve assessment of foreign interventions?
- What safeguards can prevent repeat mistakes?
Predictions are uncertain; outcomes can differ sharply from expectations.