--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Unlike his predecessors, Trump had a…" description: "\"Unlike his predecessors, Trump had a unique capability to deter our enemies and influence our friends - that is why, for example, Iran's oil exports dr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/michael-waltz-5654_enemies_unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-uniq_1107603.jpg" --- # Unlike his predecessors, Trump had a unique capability to… ![“Unlike his predecessors, Trump had a unique capability to deter our enemies and influence our friends - that is why, for example, Iran's oil exports dropped so precipitously under his sanctions, despite the opposition of every other major world power.” quote by Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/michael-waltz-5654_enemies_unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-uniq_1107603.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/michael-waltz-5654_enemies_unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-uniq_1107603.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/michael-waltz-5654_enemies_unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-uniq_1107603.jpg) > “Unlike his predecessors, Trump had a unique capability to deter our enemies and influence our friends - that is why, for example, Iran's oil exports dropped so precipitously under his sanctions, despite the opposition of every other major world power.” [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Trump’s unconventional approach could deter adversaries and influence allies, achieving policy goals despite global opposition **In simple terms:** Trump’s unique tactics could pressure enemies and sway friends, even when others disagree Key Takeaway Leverage unconventional strategies to achieve strategic objectives Themes politics sanctions geopolitics leadership strategy Mood critical analytical Type political strategic When to use this quote - policy negotiations - international sanctions - alliances - strategic communications Key Concepts deterrence influence unconventional diplomacy Questions to Reflect On - What are the long‑term effects of using shock tactics in diplomacy? - How can leaders balance bold actions with coalition building? A Different Perspective Unconventional tactics may backfire or alienate allies ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies/) [Enemies Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies-influence-2934862/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Iran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iran/) [Oil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oil/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Predecessors Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predecessors-trump-2934863/) [Sanctions Despite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sanctions-despite-2934864/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Trump Unique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump-unique-868587/) [Unique Capability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unique-capability-2934865/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I think Donald Trump is a very unique candidate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-avenatti/i-think-donald-trump-is-a-very-unique-candidate/) [Michael Avenatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-avenatti/) > [Donald Trump has a unique connection with his voters. There aren't that many people personally invested in Barack Obama. The people invested in Obama…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-has-a-unique-connection-with-his-voters-there-aren-t/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [President Trump is very unique, to say the least; he's very opinionated. I supported his policies, but not necessarily his rhetoric, or his attitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-kim/president-trump-is-very-unique-to-say-the-least-he-s-very-opinionated/) [Young Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-kim/) > [For all of his bravado, obnoxiousness, hatred, and vitriol, the scariest thing about Trump, to me, is his unique combination of ignorance about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-m-krauss/for-all-of-his-bravado-obnoxiousness-hatred-and-vitriol-the-scariest/) [Lawrence M. Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-m-krauss/) > [President Trump has a unique way of doing things different to his predecessors, but what I would say is that don't underestimate his ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-hunt/president-trump-has-a-unique-way-of-doing-things-different-to-his/) [Jeremy Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-hunt/) > [President Trump is right to get out of the Iran Nuclear Deal and impose economic sanctions in order to force a more legitimate agreement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-hyde-smith/president-trump-is-right-to-get-out-of-the-iran-nuclear-deal-and/) [Cindy Hyde-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-hyde-smith/) > [“My whole being is a dark chant that will carry you perpetuating you to the dawn of eternal growths and blossomings in this chant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forugh-farrokhzad/my-whole-being-is-a-dark-chant-that-will-carry-you-perpetuating-you/) [Forugh Farrokhzad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forugh-farrokhzad/) > [Some Iranian doctors from Europe and America go to Iran and operate for free or teach medical students there. The other day, I met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farah-diba/some-iranian-doctors-from-europe-and-america-go-to-iran-and-operate/) [Farah Diba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farah-diba/) > [“Anyone who is portraying Israel as a friend is a servant of Israel. I warn some sides against turning enemies into friends and friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/anyone-who-is-portraying-israel-as-a-friend-is-a-servant-of-israel-i/) [Sayed Hassan Nasrallah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/) > [“The hijab-related deaths and death sentences in Iran show that breaking the attire laws is more dangerous adventure than breaking the nudity laws.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-n-prasher/the-hijab-related-deaths-and-death-sentences-in-iran-show-that/) [R. N. Prasher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-n-prasher/) > [I look at what's happening around the world and I see Iran four years closer to a bomb. I see the Middle East with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-look-at-what-s-happening-around-the-world-and-i-see-iran-four-years/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the radical Islamist mullahs ruling Iran share many similarities, but honesty and negotiating in good faith are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hoekstra/former-libyan-dictator-moammar-gadhafi-and-the-radical-islamist/) [Pete Hoekstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hoekstra/) > [The plight of the Baha'i community in Iran has served as a backdrop to my life growing up in London, particularly since the Islamic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omid-djalili/the-plight-of-the-baha-i-community-in-iran-has-served-as-a-backdrop/) [Omid Djalili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omid-djalili/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. What the U.S. knows is that if you don't have a coalition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/one-of-the-things-the-united-states-does-well-is-building-coalitions/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) ## More by Michael Waltz > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [I've cosponsored legislation to establish a lend-lease program to simplify bureaucratic barriers and allow a speedier transfer of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/i-ve-cosponsored-legislation-to-establish-a-lend-lease-program-to/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [As long as Biden refuses to secure our southern border, Americans shouldn't be asked to continue funding the defense of Ukraine's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/as-long-as-biden-refuses-to-secure-our-southern-border-americans/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Astronautical and aeronautical research and development are a key part of Central Florida's economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/astronautical-and-aeronautical-research-and-development-are-a-key/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [The Chinese Communist Party is not seeking to share world leadership in a responsible way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/the-chinese-communist-party-is-not-seeking-to-share-world-leadership/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Throughout my 23 years of service as a Green Beret, I've learned a few different things. The military teaches you perseverance, discipline, and teamwork…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/throughout-my-23-years-of-service-as-a-green-beret-i-ve-learned-a-few/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Our military has taught Americans the value of camaraderie and understanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/our-military-has-taught-americans-the-value-of-camaraderie-and/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Most Americans are sympathetic to Ukraine and understand Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion is the next big step in his goal of recreating the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/most-americans-are-sympathetic-to-ukraine-and-understand-russian/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [We pride ourselves on having the best trained warfighters in the world and keeping them at home only makes us less prepared for our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/we-pride-ourselves-on-having-the-best-trained-warfighters-in-the/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Our American liberty defines our great nation. Let us each learn and do all we can to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/our-american-liberty-defines-our-great-nation-let-us-each-learn-and/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [As one of our most trusted allies, Israel is an ideal partner on our journey to improving veteran health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/as-one-of-our-most-trusted-allies-israel-is-an-ideal-partner-on-our/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Some of the fondest memories I have as a kid were watching launches from the beach or my backyard with my mother in Jacksonville.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/some-of-the-fondest-memories-i-have-as-a-kid-were-watching-launches/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [We need a new Monroe Doctrine for the Western Hemisphere, one that prioritizes the security and prosperity for the United States and our neighbors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/we-need-a-new-monroe-doctrine-for-the-western-hemisphere-one-that/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Every American from Orlando to Los Angeles should have an understanding of our country's history. We should know how our government works and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/every-american-from-orlando-to-los-angeles-should-have-an/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [I have tremendous respect for General Milley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/i-have-tremendous-respect-for-general-milley/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) [Explore all 100 Michael Waltz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) ## More Enemies quotes > [“Never let your Enemies become your Advocates.” by A. K. Hasan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-k-hasan/never-let-your-enemies-become-your-advocates-by-a-k-hasan/) [A.K. Hasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-k-hasan/) > [I don't see why we and the Chinese should have to be enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/i-don-t-see-why-we-and-the-chinese-should-have-to-be-enemies/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [“If it takes night to make day, pain to know pleasure, black to make white, then doesn't it stand to reason that the depth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-snyder/if-it-takes-night-to-make-day-pain-to-know-pleasure-black-to-make/) [Michael Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-snyder/) > [“Enemies Teach. Friends Preach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tapan-ghosh/enemies-teach-friends-preach/) [Tapan Ghosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tapan-ghosh/) > [Your greatest weapon is your enemies mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddha/your-greatest-weapon-is-your-enemies-mind/) [Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddha/) > [“THE UNFORGIVEN Tell me if you've ever had to deal with these kinds of people: The kind who take and don't give. The kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-unforgiven-tell-me-if-you-ve-ever-had-to-deal-with-these-kinds-of/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [Sometimes even paranoids have enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delmore-schwartz/sometimes-even-paranoids-have-enemies/) [Delmore Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delmore-schwartz/) > [When a husband brings his wife flowers for no reason, there's a reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-mcgee/when-a-husband-brings-his-wife-flowers-for-no-reason-there-s-a-reason/) [Molly McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-mcgee/) > [You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You have to find the redeeming quality and love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/you-should-never-hate-anyone-even-your-worst-enemies-everyone-has/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [“Anyone who is portraying Israel as a friend is a servant of Israel. I warn some sides against turning enemies into friends and friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/anyone-who-is-portraying-israel-as-a-friend-is-a-servant-of-israel-i/) [Sayed Hassan Nasrallah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/) > [No accurate thinker will judge another person by that which the other person's enemies say about him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/no-accurate-thinker-will-judge-another-person-by-that-which-the-other/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Whoever will not love his enemies cannot know the Lord and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silouan-the-athonite/whoever-will-not-love-his-enemies-cannot-know-the-lord-and-the/) [Silouan the Athonite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silouan-the-athonite/) > [I play basketball hard-nosed and if you're not on my team, during that 48 minutes we're enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/i-play-basketball-hard-nosed-and-if-you-re-not-on-my-team-during-that/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [“Enemies are people who's story you haven't heard, or who's face you haven't seen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-butter/enemies-are-people-who-s-story-you-haven-t-heard-or-who-s-face-you/) [Irene Butter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-butter/) > [A sweet thing, perspective - a chance to see your enemies so small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/a-sweet-thing-perspective-a-chance-to-see-your-enemies-so-small/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) [Browse all 1,888 Enemies quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Unlike his predecessors, Trump had a unique capability to deter our enemies and influence our friends - that is why, for example, Iran's oil exports dropped so precipitously under his sanctions, despite the opposition of every other major world power.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Waltz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-unique-capability-to-deter-our/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Enemies" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-unique-capability-to-deter-our/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/michael-waltz-5654_enemies_unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-uniq_1107603.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/michael-waltz-5654_enemies_unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-uniq_1107603.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/michael-waltz-5654_enemies_unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-uniq_1107603.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Unlike his predecessors, Trump had a unique capability to deter our enemies and influence our friends - that…” — Michael Waltz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michael Waltz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Unlike his predecessors, Trump had a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-unique-capability-to-deter-our/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/unlike-his-predecessors-trump-had-a-unique-capability-to-deter-our/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```