Cost Quote by Norman Schwarzkopf
“Had we taken all of Iraq, we would have been like a dinosaur in the tar pit - we would still be there, and we, not the United Nations, would be bearing the costs of that occupation.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Press conference, Coalition forces, 2003
The speaker warns that occupying Iraq would become a costly, stagnant trap, similar to a dinosaur stuck in tar, burdening the occupier with endless expenses.
In simple terms: Occupying Iraq would be a costly, stagnant trap.
Key Takeaway
Avoid prolonged costly occupations.
Themes
military strategy
political risk
resource allocation
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- foreign policy decisions
- military interventions
- budget planning
Key Concepts
imperial overreach
strategic stagnation
Questions to Reflect On
- Is the short‑term gain worth the long‑term cost?
- How can nations prevent strategic stagnation?
A Different Perspective
Prolonged occupations can drain resources and morale.
![“[Photography is ] likewise even French impressionists. So the Sculls bought pop. It was politics, and they moved with it. And I think that could be happening, to some degree, with photography, too. It doesn't cost as much to do it, either.” quote by Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2eb/garry-winogrand-2342_cost_photography-is-likewise-even-french-impr_2802.jpg)
