--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Counting the numbers of troops is not…" description: "\"Counting the numbers of troops is not going to define our success here.There is no military success, ultimately, to Afghanistan. The Afghans themselves..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/rahm-emanuel-4413_afghanistan_counting-the-numbers-of-troops-is-not-go_2642789.jpg" --- # Counting the numbers of troops is not going to define our… ![“Counting the numbers of troops is not going to define our success here.There is no military success, ultimately, to Afghanistan. The Afghans themselves are going to define what happens here. And we have to convince ourselves that we have a strategy in place that empowers them to do that and that…” quote by Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/rahm-emanuel-4413_afghanistan_counting-the-numbers-of-troops-is-not-go_2642789.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/rahm-emanuel-4413_afghanistan_counting-the-numbers-of-troops-is-not-go_2642789.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/rahm-emanuel-4413_afghanistan_counting-the-numbers-of-troops-is-not-go_2642789.jpg) > “Counting the numbers of troops is not going to define our success here.There is no military success, ultimately, to Afghanistan. The Afghans themselves are going to define what happens here. And we have to convince ourselves that we have a strategy in place that empowers them to do that and that is realistic in what our expectations are from them and on what schedule.” [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success depends on local empowerment, not troop counts; strategy must be realistic and expectations clear. **In simple terms:** Local people decide success, not military numbers. Key Takeaway Focus on empowering locals. Themes strategy military empowerment expectations realism Mood cautious realistic Type political strategic When to use this quote - policy planning - military advisory - development aid - nation building Key Concepts political science conflict resolution leadership Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure realistic expectations? - What measures empower locals effectively? A Different Perspective Local capacity may be insufficient without sustained support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afghanistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) [Empowering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empowering/) [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Schedules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schedules/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) ## Related quotes > [“This was a pivotal event in his career, as well as a personal epiphany. 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They're counting on you to be standing at attention with your hand over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/they-re-counting-on-your-patriotism-to-distract-you-from-their/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [I don't count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. That is when I start counting, because then it really counts.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-don-t-count-my-sit-ups-i-only-start-counting-when-it-starts-hurting/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [There is us living the Cuban experience that we believe is ours. We do not believe that it is perfect, but it has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-castro-espin/there-is-us-living-the-cuban-experience-that-we-believe-is-ours-we-do/) [Alejandro Castro Espin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-castro-espin/) > [We have to be innovative, we have to be fresh, we have to be new. People are counting on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-barthel/we-have-to-be-innovative-we-have-to-be-fresh-we-have-to-be-new-people/) [Sarah Barthel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-barthel/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) ## More by Rahm Emanuel > [The GOP is broken. They need a Bill Clinton moment with someone to figure things out. Let me just say - and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/the-gop-is-broken-they-need-a-bill-clinton-moment-with-someone-to/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [For all the things that make Chicago great, for all the things that make us proud to call ourselves Chicagoans, the violence that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/for-all-the-things-that-make-chicago-great-for-all-the-things-that/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [In the White House, you can be on the pitcher's mound or you can be in the catcher's position. Put points on the board.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/in-the-white-house-you-can-be-on-the-pitcher-s-mound-or-you-can-be-in/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [Because of the president's leadership, every American will have access to affordable, quality health care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/because-of-the-president-s-leadership-every-american-will-have-access/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [Republicans are 'bad people who deserve a two-by-four upside their heads.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/republicans-are-bad-people-who-deserve-a-two-by-four-upside-their/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [We have work to do, and Tuesday Americans sent Washington a clear message - get the job done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/we-have-work-to-do-and-tuesday-americans-sent-washington-a-clear/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [In millions of encounters each year between the police and the public, it may be too much to expect that every officer will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/in-millions-of-encounters-each-year-between-the-police-and-the-public/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [No officer should be allowed to behave as if they are above the law just because they are responsible for upholding the law. Permitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/no-officer-should-be-allowed-to-behave-as-if-they-are-above-the-law/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [We need to deal with the problem of al Qaeda, make sure that they can't have a sanctuary in Afghanistan and guarantee that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/we-need-to-deal-with-the-problem-of-al-qaeda-make-sure-that-they-can/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [Deliberation is a good thing when it comes to fighting wars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/deliberation-is-a-good-thing-when-it-comes-to-fighting-wars/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [The moment somebody's a president and you call him "Mr. President," (the person represents) our culture, our history, our sense as our nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/the-moment-somebody-s-a-president-and-you-call-him-mr-president-the/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [You may say I may be unfit to be mayor. But you can never say I'm an unfit mayor,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/you-may-say-i-may-be-unfit-to-be-mayor-but-you-can-never-say-i-m-an/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [I do not believe the government has the right to investigate somebody's private life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/i-do-not-believe-the-government-has-the-right-to-investigate-somebody/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [Today, because of President Obama's courage to my kids can stay on their parents' plan until they are 26. Insurers cannot take you off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/today-because-of-president-obama-s-courage-to-my-kids-can-stay-on/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [The Afghan - obviously the parties will decide which course of action. The most important there, get a government that is seen as legitimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/the-afghan-obviously-the-parties-will-decide-which-course-of-action/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) [Explore all 111 Rahm Emanuel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) ## More Afghanistan quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/from-the-bitter-cold-winter-at-valley-forge-to-the-mountains-of/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [They're criminals, they brutalized Afghanistan, they killed our people, they destroyed our land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-karzai/they-re-criminals-they-brutalized-afghanistan-they-killed-our-people/) [Hamid Karzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-karzai/) > [In 2001, we were told that the war in Afghanistan was a feminist mission. The marines were liberating Afghan women from the Taliban. Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/in-2001-we-were-told-that-the-war-in-afghanistan-was-a-feminist/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of tyranny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-levin/the-terrorist-attacks-of-september-11th-and-the-courageous-actions-of/) [Carl Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-levin/) > [According to a recent Harvard study, $6 trillion, when you include the ongoing healthcare expenses for our wounded soldiers, which is the least they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/according-to-a-recent-harvard-study-6-trillion-when-you-include-the/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [You don't bargain with terrorists. You don't appease terrorists. And anybody who believes that this is about something we've done has to ask themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chertoff/you-don-t-bargain-with-terrorists-you-don-t-appease-terrorists-and/) [Michael Chertoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chertoff/) > [“I stood with my mom in the cemetery. She felt terrible pain. My grandmother is with God. My mom has to continue living. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-elliot/i-stood-with-my-mom-in-the-cemetery-she-felt-terrible-pain-my/) [Tucker Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-elliot/) > [The most successful cultural diplomacy strategy integrates people-to-people or arts/culture/media-to-people interactions into the basic business of diplomacy. The programs in Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-p-schneider/the-most-successful-cultural-diplomacy-strategy-integrates-people-to/) [Cynthia P. Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-p-schneider/) > [Because Iran understands Afghanistan far better than Americans do, making Iran a partner in a long-term effort to transform Afghan agriculture makes sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/because-iran-understands-afghanistan-far-better-than-americans-do/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/thousands-of-americans-have-given-their-lives-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I have been to Afghanistan many times, even before the Taliban collapsed. I was fascinated by the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/i-have-been-to-afghanistan-many-times-even-before-the-taliban/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [There has been sort of, if you will, a moral interventionism on the part of the United States trying to reshape countries in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/there-has-been-sort-of-if-you-will-a-moral-interventionism-on-the/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The legal system in Afghanistan is very immature and porous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/the-legal-system-in-afghanistan-is-very-immature-and-porous/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) [Browse all 1,159 Afghanistan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Counting the numbers of troops is not going to define our success here.There is no military success, ultimately, to Afghanistan. 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