--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In terms of Iraq, al Qaeda valued Iraq…" description: "\"In terms of Iraq, al Qaeda valued Iraq because we destroyed a government it wanted destroyed and because we put soldiers on the ground and forces that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdc/michael-scheuer-7471_afghan_in-terms-of-iraq-al-qaeda-valued-iraq-be_897043.png" --- # In terms of Iraq, al Qaeda valued Iraq because we… ![“In terms of Iraq, al Qaeda valued Iraq because we destroyed a government it wanted destroyed and because we put soldiers on the ground and forces that they could attack. Al Qaeda is basically an insurgent organization that was formed on the model of the Afghan groups. And being bred in that war…” quote by Michael Scheuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdc/michael-scheuer-7471_afghan_in-terms-of-iraq-al-qaeda-valued-iraq-be_897043.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdc/michael-scheuer-7471_afghan_in-terms-of-iraq-al-qaeda-valued-iraq-be_897043.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdc/michael-scheuer-7471_afghan_in-terms-of-iraq-al-qaeda-valued-iraq-be_897043.png) > “In terms of Iraq, al Qaeda valued Iraq because we destroyed a government it wanted destroyed and because we put soldiers on the ground and forces that they could attack. Al Qaeda is basically an insurgent organization that was formed on the model of the Afghan groups. And being bred in that war, they value a contiguous safe haven as much as anything else.” [Michael Scheuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scheuer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Al Qaeda seeks a safe, contiguous base, valuing territory and the ability to attack. **In simple terms:** They want a safe haven to operate from. Key Takeaway Denial secure, stable regions. Themes terrorism geopolitics security Mood analytical cautious Type political strategic When to use this quote - policy making - military planning - foreign aid - regional stability Key Concepts strategic geography insurgency Questions to Reflect On - What makes a safe haven valuable to insurgents? - How can nations prevent such havens? A Different Perspective Counterterrorism efforts can be limited by local politics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Safe haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe-haven/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Iraq, for the first time, gives al Qaeda and its allies contiguous safe-haven territory to train and launch attacks into the Levant. 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