Eight Quote by Seymour Hersh
“Few knew in 2000 that Bush was going to end up with neoconservatives all over the place. And once 9/11 happened, I think it's fair to say that eight or nine neocons have had an enormous influence. The whole solution to every problem was to go after Iraq. This had been a neoconservative mantra for ten years. There was no secret about it.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, “The Neoconservative Influence on Bush’s Iraq Policy,” 2004
Neoconservative ideology dominated U.S. foreign policy post‑9/11, leading to the Iraq war as a primary solution to global threats.
In simple terms: Neocons shaped Bush’s Iraq war strategy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize ideological influences on policy decisions.
Themes
politics
war
ideology
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- government decision‑making
- public opinion
- military intervention
Key Concepts
foreign policy
neoconservatism
Questions to Reflect On
- What other forces contributed to the Iraq decision?
- How do we hold policymakers accountable?
A Different Perspective
Complex motives and other factors also shaped the war; not solely neocon influence.
![“I myself have accepted the term [neoconservative], perhaps, because, having been named Irving, I am relatively indifferent to baptismal caprice.” quote by Irving Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dbf/irving-kristol-14064_quote_i-myself-have-accepted-the-term-neoconse_2193374.jpg)
![“I failed, I think, seven [or] eight times before I finally got my first [championship]. It was just, you know, just about me growing up. Now that I'm an old, old veteran-age 29-I do things a lot differently. I don't go to the gentlemen's clubs anymore. I had to slow that down.” quote by Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08f/shaquille-o-neal-659_age_i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-be_2731.jpg)
