---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Today, Iraq is an immediate danger to our…"
description: "\"Today, Iraq is an immediate danger to our nation. This time, we cannot wait. We cannot wait for Saddam Hussein to take a devastating action or to trans..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/richard-armitage-2741_action_today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our_788405.jpg"
---

#  Today, Iraq is an immediate danger to our nation. This…

![“Today, Iraq is an immediate danger to our nation. This time, we cannot wait. We cannot wait for Saddam Hussein to take a devastating action or to transfer a weapon of mass destruction to someone else who will. After September 11th, it is simply no longer an option to sit back and contemplate an…” quote by Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/richard-armitage-2741_action_today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our_788405.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/richard-armitage-2741_action_today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our_788405.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/richard-armitage-2741_action_today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our_788405.jpg)

> “Today, Iraq is an immediate danger to our nation. This time, we cannot wait. We cannot wait for Saddam Hussein to take a devastating action or to transfer a weapon of mass destruction to someone else who will. After September 11th, it is simply no longer an option to sit back and contemplate an enemy - one with a stated intent to harm us, a track record and the means, and just wait for him to strike in order to protect ourselves.”

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Immediate threats demand proactive measures; waiting for an adversary to act can jeopardize national security.

**In simple terms:** Act now against threats.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize preemptive action.

Themes

security policy urgency

Mood

urgent cautious

Type

political strategic

When to use this quote

- government response
- military planning
- intelligence analysis

Key Concepts

geopolitics risk assessment

Questions to Reflect On

- What safeguards prevent overreach?
- How to balance vigilance with diplomacy?

A Different Perspective

Preemptive actions can lead to unintended consequences.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Harm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harm/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Mass destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass-destruction/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [September](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/september/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Track record](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/track-record/) [Wait for him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wait-for-him/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) [Weapons of mass destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons-of-mass-destruction/)

## Related quotes

> [I personally think that today, Iraq without Saddam Hussein is a truly better Iraq than with Saddam Hussein. But, naturally, I also feel uncomfortable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksander-kwasniewski/i-personally-think-that-today-iraq-without-saddam-hussein-is-a-truly/)

[Aleksander Kwasniewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksander-kwasniewski/)

> [The general election's taking place today in Iraq, so I guess that means we're one step closer to being there for another 10 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/the-general-election-s-taking-place-today-in-iraq-so-i-guess-that/)

[David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/)

> [Today, Iraq is Harvard for terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/today-iraq-is-harvard-for-terrorism/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [Man must at all costs overcome the Earth's gravity and have, in reserve, the space at least of the Solar System. All kinds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/man-must-at-all-costs-overcome-the-earth-s-gravity-and-have-in/)

[Konstantin Tsiolkovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/)

> [Long ago, men went to sea, and women waited for them, standing on the edge of the water, scanning the horizon for the tiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-niffenegger/long-ago-men-went-to-sea-and-women-waited-for-them-standing-on-the/)

[Audrey Niffenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-niffenegger/)

> [A free theologian works in communication with other theologians...He waits for them and asks them to wait for him. Our sadly lacking yet indispensable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/a-free-theologian-works-in-communication-with-other-theologians-he/)

[Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/)

> [Really, a young Atheist cannot guard his faith too carefully. Dangers lie in wait for him on every side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/really-a-young-atheist-cannot-guard-his-faith-too-carefully-dangers/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [Finished, it's finished, nearly finished, it must be nearly finished. Grain upon grain, one by one, and one day, suddenly, there's a heap, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/finished-it-s-finished-nearly-finished-it-must-be-nearly-finished/)

[Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/)

> [God is bigger than time, dates, and appointments. He wants you to move through this day with a quiet heart, an inward assurance that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-lessin/god-is-bigger-than-time-dates-and-appointments-he-wants-you-to-move/)

[Roy Lessin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-lessin/)

> [What men have seen they know; But what shall come hereafter No man before the event can see, Nor what end waits for him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/what-men-have-seen-they-know-but-what-shall-come-hereafter-no-man/)

[Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/)

> [The modern fairy tale ending is the reverse of the traditional one: A woman does not wait for Prince Charming to bring her happiness;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-faludi/the-modern-fairy-tale-ending-is-the-reverse-of-the-traditional-one-a/)

[Susan Faludi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-faludi/)

> [With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/with-regard-to-precipitous-heights-if-you-are-beforehand-with-your/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [When we surrender to His timing, He does mighty things in and for us, according to His will and His timing. God acts on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stanley/when-we-surrender-to-his-timing-he-does-mighty-things-in-and-for-us/)

[Charles Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stanley/)

> [If you want to know how to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-want-to-know-how-to-make-people-shun-you-and-laugh-at-you/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [The beanball is one of the meanest things on Earth and no decent fellow would use it. The beanball is a potential murderer. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-johnson/the-beanball-is-one-of-the-meanest-things-on-earth-and-no-decent/)

[Walter Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-johnson/)

## More by Richard Armitage

> [Some of the mail I've had has been weird. When I played Guy of Gisborne, a woman crocheted a mini-version of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/some-of-the-mail-i-ve-had-has-been-weird-when-i-played-guy-of/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [We've had Saudis and Jordanians and Pakistanis who have - and Syrians - who have been involved in armed attacks against coalition forces in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/we-ve-had-saudis-and-jordanians-and-pakistanis-who-have-and-syrians/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [I'd say that, to be a good deal maker, you have to have three basic characteristics - timing, timing, and timing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-d-say-that-to-be-a-good-deal-maker-you-have-to-have-three-basic/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [Monet was like a conductor. He painted with quite a straight arm and used bold strokes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/monet-was-like-a-conductor-he-painted-with-quite-a-straight-arm-and/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [Ive never been that cute kid that was forgiven for being naughty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/ive-never-been-that-cute-kid-that-was-forgiven-for-being-naughty/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [Sometimes I hate the job that I do as an actor. I feel like I'm just of no importance in the world, but sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/sometimes-i-hate-the-job-that-i-do-as-an-actor-i-feel-like-i-m-just/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [Let's be clear: Neither Secretary Powell or I opposed the notion of removing Saddam Hussein by force, but we wanted to avoid the war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/let-s-be-clear-neither-secretary-powell-or-i-opposed-the-notion-of/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [It is possible to work out of New York on film and television and still not lose your connection to theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/it-is-possible-to-work-out-of-new-york-on-film-and-television-and/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [I've done an awful lot of skiing all over Europe: I've done Italy, Austria, France. I skied loads in New Zealand - I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-ve-done-an-awful-lot-of-skiing-all-over-europe-i-ve-done-italy/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [The problem with me is I read everything, but it's only the bad stuff that stays with me. It's weird, you only need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/the-problem-with-me-is-i-read-everything-but-it-s-only-the-bad-stuff/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [I was an estate agent for three years. That was pretty grim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-was-an-estate-agent-for-three-years-that-was-pretty-grim/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [U.S. assistance provides the Jordanian government needed flexibility to pursue policies that are of critical importance to U.S. national security and to foreign policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/u-s-assistance-provides-the-jordanian-government-needed-flexibility/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [I didn't become an actor because I thought I'd make lots of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-didn-t-become-an-actor-because-i-thought-i-d-make-lots-of-money/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [I know what Twitter is; I don't use it. I don't use Facebook, so luckily, it does zero to my ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-know-what-twitter-is-i-don-t-use-it-i-don-t-use-facebook-so-luckily/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

> [I'm not much of a show-off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-m-not-much-of-a-show-off/)

[Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

[Explore all 152 Richard Armitage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [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/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Today, Iraq is an immediate danger to our nation. This time, we cannot wait. We cannot wait for Saddam Hussein to take a devastating action or to transfer a weapon of mass destruction to someone else who will. After September 11th, it is simply no longer an option to sit back and contemplate an enemy - one with a stated intent to harm us, a track record and the means, and just wait for him to strike in order to protect ourselves.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richard Armitage"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our-nation-this-time-we-cannot/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our-nation-this-time-we-cannot/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/richard-armitage-2741_action_today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our_788405.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/richard-armitage-2741_action_today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our_788405.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/richard-armitage-2741_action_today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our_788405.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Today, Iraq is an immediate danger to our nation. This time, we cannot wait. We cannot wait for Saddam…” — Richard Armitage",
                "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": "Richard Armitage",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Today, Iraq is an immediate danger...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our-nation-this-time-we-cannot/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/today-iraq-is-an-immediate-danger-to-our-nation-this-time-we-cannot/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
