Baghdad Quote by Robert Fisk
“After the allied victory of 1918, at the end of my father's war, the victors divided up the lands of their former enemies. In the space of just seventeen months, they created the borders of Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia and most of the Middle East. And I have spent my entire career—in Belfast and Sarajevo, in Beirut and Baghdad—watching the people within those borders burn.”
About This Quote
Post‑war borders drawn quickly have caused lasting conflict and suffering across regions.
In simple terms: Rapid border drawing creates lasting strife.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the impact of arbitrary borders.
Themes
history
conflict
colonialism
Mood
analytical
somber
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- diplomacy
- peacebuilding
- humanitarian aid
Key Concepts
nationalism
geopolitics
human cost
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives could have reduced future violence?
- How do borders affect everyday lives?
A Different Perspective
Borders sometimes stabilize regions temporarily.
![“We had a completely deniable exchange of papers - in the winter before the 1997 election - with [Tony] Blair, setting out what we thought were the realistic parameters for a solution: and we were getting reasonable responses back from him. That's what led to Blair's visit to Belfast on May 16…” quote by David Trimble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/92c/david-trimble-29633_belfast_we-had-a-completely-deniable-exchange-of_422771.jpg)
