--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The other thing I said is the great irony…" description: "\"The other thing I said is the great irony is you will be back fighting against your own weapons. Had [Bashar] Assad been bombed when he used chemical w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/rand-paul-606_assad_the-other-thing-i-said-is-the-great-iron_1664725.jpg" --- # The other thing I said is the great irony is you will be… ![“The other thing I said is the great irony is you will be back fighting against your own weapons. Had [Bashar] Assad been bombed when he used chemical weapons two years ago, ISIS would be in charge of all of Syria now.” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/rand-paul-606_assad_the-other-thing-i-said-is-the-great-iron_1664725.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/rand-paul-606_assad_the-other-thing-i-said-is-the-great-iron_1664725.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/rand-paul-606_assad_the-other-thing-i-said-is-the-great-iron_1664725.jpg) > “The other thing I said is the great irony is you will be back fighting against your own weapons. Had \[Bashar\] Assad been bombed when he used chemical weapons two years ago, ISIS would be in charge of all of Syria now.” [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that using weapons against enemies can later empower those enemies, leading to unintended consequences. **In simple terms:** Using weapons can backfire and empower foes. Key Takeaway Consider long‑term effects before acting. Themes politics war unintended consequences Mood cautious reflective Type political strategic When to use this quote - military interventions - foreign policy decisions - arms sales - counterterrorism strategies Key Concepts blowback power dynamics strategic foresight Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can prevent blowback? - How do we balance short‑term security with long‑term stability? A Different Perspective May overlook immediate threats in favor of future risks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ago Isis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ago-isis-795097/) [Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assad/) [Assad Bombed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assad-bombed-795099/) [Charge Syria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charge-syria-677905/) [Chemical weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chemical-weapons/) [Chemicals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chemicals/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Irony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irony/) [Isis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/isis/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Syria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/syria/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Two years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-years/) [Two years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-years-ago/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) [Weapons Bashar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons-bashar-795098/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [ I think we can all agree \[Bashar\] Assad is a bad and evil actor, but I'm not so sure that we want the Islamic… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-we-can-all-agree-bashar-assad-is-a-bad-and-evil-actor-but-i-m/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ There are still people - the majority on the stage, they want to topple \[Bashar\] Assad. And then there will be chaos, and I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/there-are-still-people-the-majority-on-the-stage-they-want-to-topple/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I don't regret at all saying that if I saw Bashar al-Assad using chemical weapons on his people that that would change my assessments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-don-t-regret-at-all-saying-that-if-i-saw-bashar-al-assad-using/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ Luckily for \[Barack\] Obama, the Russians came along and rescued him with this proposal \[to confiscate Assad's chemical weapons\] which he quickly accepted -… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/luckily-for-barack-obama-the-russians-came-along-and-rescued-him-with/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [ What is true is \[Bashar\] Assad got rid of his chemical weapons. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-is-true-is-bashar-assad-got-rid-of-his-chemical-weapons/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Assad is always a priority. That is not an issue. He is a war crime. He has done terrible things to his own people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-haley/assad-is-always-a-priority-that-is-not-an-issue-he-is-a-war-crime-he/) [Nikki Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-haley/) > [In the eyes of the Iranians, they don't respect or fear Barack Obama. He drew a line against Assad when he used chemical weapons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/in-the-eyes-of-the-iranians-they-don-t-respect-or-fear-barack-obama/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [ For example, the use of chemical weapons \[in Syria\]- some on the Democrat side have said well, this encourages the North Koreans to use… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/for-example-the-use-of-chemical-weapons-in-syria-some-on-the-democrat/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think if Russia is really an honest signatory to the chemical weapons ban, if Syria wants to be, ultimately someone has to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-if-russia-is-really-an-honest-signatory-to-the-chemical/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Our intervention to destabilize the Assad regime has really made the chaos worse in Syria. And if you were to get rid of Assad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/our-intervention-to-destabilize-the-assad-regime-has-really-made-the/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think that if you believe in regime change, you're mistaken. In 2013, we put 600 tons of weapons - us, Saudi Arabia, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-that-if-you-believe-in-regime-change-you-re-mistaken-in-2013/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ Every chance at destabilizing \[Bashar\] Assad... the bombing campaign causes a flood of refugees into Jordan, there's already half a million in Jordan. I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/every-chance-at-destabilizing-bashar-assad-the-bombing-campaign/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ We have Islamic rebels \[in Syria\] who've been eating the hearts or organs of their enemies. We have priests that have been killed. We… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-have-islamic-rebels-in-syria-who-ve-been-eating-the-hearts-or/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ I think those who have wanted regime \[of Bashar Assad\] change have made a mistake. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-those-who-have-wanted-regime-of-bashar-assad-change-have-made/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ I think that by arming the allies of ISIS, the Islamic rebels against \[Bashar\] Assad, that we created a safe space or made that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-that-by-arming-the-allies-of-isis-the-islamic-rebels-against/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## More by Rand Paul > [I have a question, a question for the president: Do you hate all rich people, or just rich people who don't contribute to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-have-a-question-a-question-for-the-president-do-you-hate-all-rich/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I can tell you who's planning terroris attacks. The leaders of ISIL. And I can tell you where they're at. They're in Raqqa, Syria.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-can-tell-you-who-s-planning-terroris-attacks-the-leaders-of-isil/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [There comes a time, in the history of Nations when fear and forgetfulness cause a nation to hesitate, to waver and perhaps even to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/there-comes-a-time-in-the-history-of-nations-when-fear-and/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [As long as I sit at Henry Clay's desk, I will remember his lifelong desire to forge agreement, but I will also keep close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/as-long-as-i-sit-at-henry-clay-s-desk-i-will-remember-his-lifelong/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I believe people ought to be treated fairly under the law. I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-believe-people-ought-to-be-treated-fairly-under-the-law-i-see-no/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think that, most importantly, when I see issues of war, I see them in a personal vein, and I am reluctant to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-that-most-importantly-when-i-see-issues-of-war-i-see-them-in/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I would have handled it differently than the mayor of Baltimore, that's for sure. I think it's a mistake to say, hey, guys, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-would-have-handled-it-differently-than-the-mayor-of-baltimore-that/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We have to think before we act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-have-to-think-before-we-act/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I would introduce and support legislation to send Roe v. Wade back to the states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-would-introduce-and-support-legislation-to-send-roe-v-wade-back-to/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [President Obama, I think, wanted what was best for the country, but I think it didn't work well. I think we have the death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/president-obama-i-think-wanted-what-was-best-for-the-country-but-i/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think it's a mistake to downgrade and say surveillance is no big deal. It is a huge deal that we are collecting millions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-it-s-a-mistake-to-downgrade-and-say-surveillance-is-no-big/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We need a revival in the country,” Paul said. “We need another Great Awakening with tent revivals of thousands of people saying, 'reform or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-need-a-revival-in-the-country-paul-said-we-need-another-great/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We do not project power from bankruptcy court. We're borrowing a million dollars a minute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-do-not-project-power-from-bankruptcy-court-we-re-borrowing-a/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I can use most of the tools that every American teenager can master. Maybe not all of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-can-use-most-of-the-tools-that-every-american-teenager-can-master/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) [Explore all 449 Rand Paul quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## More Assad quotes > [ People talk about \[Bashar\] Assad running Syria. He doesn't control his own country. He's down to about 20, 25 percent of the country. What… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/people-talk-about-bashar-assad-running-syria-he-doesn-t-control-his/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [We could have made peace with Syrian dictator Bashar Assad a long time ago. It didn't happen, because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/we-could-have-made-peace-with-syrian-dictator-bashar-assad-a-long/) [Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/) > [ You cannot bring peace in Syria as long as \[Bashar\] Assad is, in fact, there. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/you-cannot-bring-peace-in-syria-as-long-as-bashar-assad-is-in-fact/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [Assad's mother was a terror. He was terrified of her and she kept saying to him, you're not like your father. That's interesting, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/assad-s-mother-was-a-terror-he-was-terrified-of-her-and-she-kept/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [ We have to do one thing at a time. We can't be fighting ISIS and fighting \[Bashar\]Assad. Assad is fighting ISIS. He is fighting… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-have-to-do-one-thing-at-a-time-we-can-t-be-fighting-isis-and/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [“Assad whistled a few notes of one of his native country's melancholic songs. It sounded as though he was whistling backwards”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jussi-adler-olsen/assad-whistled-a-few-notes-of-one-of-his-native-country-s-melancholic/) [Jussi Adler-Olsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jussi-adler-olsen/) > [ \[Bashar\] Assad is one of the main reasons why ISIS even exists to begin with. Assad is a puppet of Iran. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/bashar-assad-is-one-of-the-main-reasons-why-isis-even-exists-to-begin/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Bashar Assad is a major cause of the refugees which are now flooding Europe and causing such consternation in the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/bashar-assad-is-a-major-cause-of-the-refugees-which-are-now-flooding/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [The principal sponsors of the terrorists are not religious fanatics. "Palestine's Yasser Arafat, Iraq's Saddam Hussein, and Syria's Assad family have made themselves the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr/the-principal-sponsors-of-the-terrorists-are-not-religious-fanatics/) [William F. Buckley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr/) > [ I think those who have wanted regime \[of Bashar Assad\] change have made a mistake. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-those-who-have-wanted-regime-of-bashar-assad-change-have-made/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ If \[Bashar\] Assad himself could save this whole process by saying, "I will engage in a managed transition where we all work together to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/if-bashar-assad-himself-could-save-this-whole-process-by-saying-i/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [We know that russians are deeply engaged in supporting Assad because they want to have a place in the Middle East. They have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-know-that-russians-are-deeply-engaged-in-supporting-assad-because/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [ If we topple \[Bashar\] Assad, the result will be ISIS will take over Syria, and it will worsen U.S. national security interests. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/if-we-topple-bashar-assad-the-result-will-be-isis-will-take-over/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [ Every chance at destabilizing \[Bashar\] Assad... the bombing campaign causes a flood of refugees into Jordan, there's already half a million in Jordan. I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/every-chance-at-destabilizing-bashar-assad-the-bombing-campaign/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ I'll tell you whose view on \[Bashar\] Assad is the same as mine. It's Prime Minister \[Benjamin\] Netanyahu. Prime Minister Netanyahu has said Israel… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-ll-tell-you-whose-view-on-bashar-assad-is-the-same-as-mine-it-s/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) [Browse all 130 Assad quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assad/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The other thing I said is the great irony is you will be back fighting against your own weapons. 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