Assad Quote by Rashid Khalidi
“You want to bring the Assad regime down? You have to beat the Russians and the Iranians in Syria. That is not going to happen. Like it, don't like it - it's not going to be very pleasant.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2023
Changing Syria's power dynamics requires confronting powerful allies of the Assad regime, a task that is highly unlikely and may bring further hardship.
In simple terms: Removing Assad needs beating Russia and Iran, which is improbable and painful.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the limits of external intervention.
Themes
geopolitics
conflict
foreign policy
realism
Mood
cautious
somber
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- diplomatic strategy
- humanitarian planning
Key Concepts
balance of power
proxy wars
regional stability
Questions to Reflect On
- Is military intervention the only path to change?
- What alternatives exist for reducing suffering?
A Different Perspective
International involvement may worsen civilian suffering and destabilize the region.
![“On Syria, it's clear that the indiscriminate attacks on civilians by the [Bashar] Assad regime and Russia will only worsen the humanitarian catastrophe and that a negotiated end to the conflict is the only way to achieve lasting peace in Syria.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bff/barack-obama-17_achieve_on-syria-it-s-clear-that-the-indiscrimin_1977501.jpg)
![“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 is this fiction that he is somehow the only person who can save Syria? There's - with Assad there, there is no Syria. So that's what the Iranians and the…” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f3d/john-f-kerry-996_assad_people-talk-about-bashar-assad-running-s_24339.jpg)
![“You cannot bring peace in Syria as long as [Bashar] Assad is, in fact, there.” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/41d/john-f-kerry-996_assad_you-cannot-bring-peace-in-syria-as-long_56711.jpg)
![“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 ISIS. Russia is fighting now ISIS. And Iran is fighting ISIS.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bca/donald-trump-18_assad_we-have-to-do-one-thing-at-a-time-we-can_115458.jpg)
![“[Bashar] Assad is one of the main reasons why ISIS even exists to begin with. Assad is a puppet of Iran.” quote by Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8b6/marco-rubio-355_assad_bashar-assad-is-one-of-the-main-reasons_154139.jpg)
![“I think those who have wanted regime [of Bashar Assad] change have made a mistake.” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6b2/rand-paul-606_assad_i-think-those-who-have-wanted-regime-of_280205.jpg)
![“If [Bashar] Assad himself could save this whole process by saying, "I will engage in a managed transition where we all work together to stabilize the government, save the institutions of government, and turn on ISIL and preserve Syria." That could happen. It all depends on one man, and Russia and…” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/999/john-f-kerry-996_assad_if-bashar-assad-himself-could-save-this_309200.jpg)
