American Quote by Michael Scheuer
“The world is lousy with Arab princes. And if we could have got Osama bin Laden, and saved at some point down the road 3,000 American lives, a few less Arab princes would have been OK in my book.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: PBS Frontline, 2002
The speaker argues that eliminating a high‑profile terrorist could reduce the number of Arab leaders, reflecting a utilitarian view on security.
In simple terms: Killing a terrorist might lower Arab leadership.
Key Takeaway
Consider the moral costs of targeting individuals.
Themes
terrorism
ethics
policy
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- military operations
- intelligence analysis
- policy debates
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
securitystrategypolicy
counterterrorism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is killing a single individual effective?
- What are the long‑term consequences?
A Different Perspective
Risk of oversimplifying complex geopolitical issues.
