--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think most Americans understand that we…" description: "\"I think most Americans understand that we went through a period in which American leadership was judged quite critically internationally.\" — Susan Rice" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/susan-rice-4480_american-leadership_i-think-most-americans-understand-that-w_2121540.png" --- # I think most Americans understand that we went through a… ![“I think most Americans understand that we went through a period in which American leadership was judged quite critically internationally.” quote by Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/susan-rice-4480_american-leadership_i-think-most-americans-understand-that-w_2121540.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/susan-rice-4480_american-leadership_i-think-most-americans-understand-that-w_2121540.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/susan-rice-4480_american-leadership_i-think-most-americans-understand-that-w_2121540.png) > “I think most Americans understand that we went through a period in which American leadership was judged quite critically internationally.” [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. American leadership faces global scrutiny, prompting a need for reflection and adaptation. **In simple terms:** US leadership is being judged worldwide. Key Takeaway Recognize criticism and adjust strategy. Themes leadership international relations public perception Mood concerned thoughtful Type analytical policy-oriented When to use this quote - policy formulation - diplomatic negotiations - public communication Key Concepts geopolitics soft power accountability Questions to Reflect On - How can the US rebuild trust abroad? - What reforms are needed for credible leadership? A Different Perspective Criticism can be politicized, limiting objective assessment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-leadership/) [Americans Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-understand-278533/) [Critically Internationally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critically-internationally-4330291/) [Judged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judged/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Leadership Judged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership-judged-4330292/) [Think Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-americans-362548/) ## Related quotes > [I think most Americans understand that radical Islam can't be compromised with or appeased. And the only way we can be safe is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/i-think-most-americans-understand-that-radical-islam-can-t-be/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [I think most Americans understand that we deserve to have universal health care, as enjoyed by most citizens in most developed countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-buttigieg/i-think-most-americans-understand-that-we-deserve-to-have-universal/) [Pete Buttigieg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-buttigieg/) > [As I think all Americans understand on both sides of the aisle, the Social Security system as it is structured today is a pay-as-you-go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shadegg/as-i-think-all-americans-understand-on-both-sides-of-the-aisle-the/) [John Shadegg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shadegg/) > [I think Americans understand that in Afghanistan, unlike in Iraq and Vietnam, we are fighting an enemy allied with the people who attacked us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-holbrooke/i-think-americans-understand-that-in-afghanistan-unlike-in-iraq-and/) [Richard Holbrooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-holbrooke/) > [I do think that Americans do not understand that things are done differently in other parts of the world and that the other ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sean-greer/i-do-think-that-americans-do-not-understand-that-things-are-done/) [Andrew Sean Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sean-greer/) > [Americans understand that our security is enhanced when the United States is trusted and respected in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/americans-understand-that-our-security-is-enhanced-when-the-united/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [“if we really care about all Americans, and we must, we have to understand what is happening.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/historica-press/if-we-really-care-about-all-americans-and-we-must-we-have-to/) [Historica Press](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/historica-press/) > [Not many Americans understand how many Army divisions we have, the percentage breakdown of the Air Force's fighter/bomber mix, or the three 'Triad' legs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-c-o-brien/not-many-americans-understand-how-many-army-divisions-we-have-the/) [Robert C. 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The words ‘to make money’ hold the essence of human morality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/americans-were-the-first-to-understand-that-wealth-has-to-be-created/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [We must reject the cynicism that says allowing every eligible vote to be cast and counted is a 'power grab.' Americans understand that these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-abrams/we-must-reject-the-cynicism-that-says-allowing-every-eligible-vote-to/) [Stacey Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-abrams/) > [ \[Americans\] can't understand that the water in our toilet is cleaner than 880 million have access to. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/americans-can-t-understand-that-the-water-in-our-toilet-is-cleaner/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [Southerners, whose ancestors a hundred years ago knew the horrors of a homeland devastated by war, are particularly determined that war shall never come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/southerners-whose-ancestors-a-hundred-years-ago-knew-the-horrors-of-a/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by Susan Rice > [Since I've had a career, my hair has been more or less professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/since-i-ve-had-a-career-my-hair-has-been-more-or-less-professional/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [What I learned is that policymakers have to force consideration of actions that may not have occurred to them at the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/what-i-learned-is-that-policymakers-have-to-force-consideration-of/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [I've taken my knocks here and there, but I believe my intentions are good. Doesn't mean everything I do is perfectly executed or I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-ve-taken-my-knocks-here-and-there-but-i-believe-my-intentions-are/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [I'm not watching any TV shows, frankly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-m-not-watching-any-tv-shows-frankly/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [The United States really only accounts for about 3 percent of the economic engagement with Russia. Europe is 40 percent, and so Europe's contribution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/the-united-states-really-only-accounts-for-about-3-percent-of-the/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [I am very aware of being black and female because that's what I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-am-very-aware-of-being-black-and-female-because-that-s-what-i-am/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [Well, Nigeria has played a constructive role in peacekeeping in various parts of West Africa. But unless and until Nigeria itself is democratic and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/well-nigeria-has-played-a-constructive-role-in-peacekeeping-in/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [I'm apologetic when I feel like I've made a mistake. And when I have done a disservice to myself or someone else. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-m-apologetic-when-i-feel-like-i-ve-made-a-mistake-and-when-i-have/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [People are consuming the news that is comfortable for them, not necessarily the news that is real or that they need to know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/people-are-consuming-the-news-that-is-comfortable-for-them-not/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [I think it's very, very important that in foreign policy and national security decision making, as in any other realm, that there be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-think-it-s-very-very-important-that-in-foreign-policy-and-national/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [There was a hateful video that was disseminated on the internet. It had nothing to do with the United States government and it's one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/there-was-a-hateful-video-that-was-disseminated-on-the-internet-it/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [Well, I think by any expectation South Africa has come a tremendously long way. We've seen a society that many people thought couldn't withstand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/well-i-think-by-any-expectation-south-africa-has-come-a-tremendously/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [Can I be blunt? Yes. Can I be diplomatic? Yes. Can I concoct a mixture of vinegar and honey when the circumstances warrant? Yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/can-i-be-blunt-yes-can-i-be-diplomatic-yes-can-i-concoct-a-mixture-of/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [When my son was a mere three months old, I started working at the State Department. I was not only the youngest Assistant Secretary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/when-my-son-was-a-mere-three-months-old-i-started-working-at-the/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [I was conscious of the fact that it could be to my disadvantage to marry a white guy - that some folks would hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-was-conscious-of-the-fact-that-it-could-be-to-my-disadvantage-to/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) [Explore all 110 Susan Rice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) ## More American leadership quotes > [Challenging American leadership is not at stake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/challenging-american-leadership-is-not-at-stake/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Everywhere that I go in the world, people desperately look to American leadership in all of their world's most difficult problems. You can look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/everywhere-that-i-go-in-the-world-people-desperately-look-to-american/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [The small and bullying leader of Russia is now dictating terms to the United States, to the point where all the United States of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-small-and-bullying-leader-of-russia-is-now-dictating-terms-to-the/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [Part of American leadership is making sure that we're doing nation building here at home. That will help us maintain the kind of American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/part-of-american-leadership-is-making-sure-that-we-re-doing-nation/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [When Iran continues to get away with bad behavior, what do our allies who are Iran's enemies think about us? It is why we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/when-iran-continues-to-get-away-with-bad-behavior-what-do-our-allies/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [I want American Dream growth - lots of new businesses, well-paying jobs, and American leadership in new industries, like clean energy and biotechnology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/i-want-american-dream-growth-lots-of-new-businesses-well-paying-jobs/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [The lesson must be learned that American leadership matters, and weak leaders leave our friends and allies more vulnerable against violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-james/the-lesson-must-be-learned-that-american-leadership-matters-and-weak/) [John E. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-james/) > [Our survival, the future of our civilization, possibly the existence of mankind, depends on American leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/our-survival-the-future-of-our-civilization-possibly-the-existence-of/) [Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/) > [Putin's Russia is our adversary and moral opposite. It is committed to the destruction of the post-war, rule-based world order built on American leadership…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/putin-s-russia-is-our-adversary-and-moral-opposite-it-is-committed-to/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Without American leadership at the U.N., countries just continue to talk and socialize and spend taxpayer dollars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-grenell/without-american-leadership-at-the-u-n-countries-just-continue-to/) [Richard Grenell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-grenell/) > [At a time of change and challenge at home and abroad, these investments will enhance the security of Americans, assure the future American leadership,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/at-a-time-of-change-and-challenge-at-home-and-abroad-these/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [When the world lacks muscular and wise American leadership, it devolves into total chaos, which, in turn, produces unspeakable evils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-crowley/when-the-world-lacks-muscular-and-wise-american-leadership-it/) [Monica Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-crowley/) > [ America's exceptionalism, American leadership, the American model, the American values are not \[first with Donald Trump\] - they're something that end at the border. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/america-s-exceptionalism-american-leadership-the-american-model-the/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Shouldn't the American leadership be addressing what is happening in America, with its domestic policies on racism, discrimination, illegal monitoring, solitary confinement, torture, Guantanamo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/shouldn-t-the-american-leadership-be-addressing-what-is-happening-in/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [When Vladimir Putin runs up against American power and American criticism and American leadership that reminds him of what Russia isn't, when he runs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/when-vladimir-putin-runs-up-against-american-power-and-american/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) [Browse all 47 American leadership quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-leadership/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think most Americans understand that we went through a period in which American leadership was judged quite critically internationally.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Susan Rice" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-think-most-americans-understand-that-we-went-through-a-period-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American leadership" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-think-most-americans-understand-that-we-went-through-a-period-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/susan-rice-4480_american-leadership_i-think-most-americans-understand-that-w_2121540.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/susan-rice-4480_american-leadership_i-think-most-americans-understand-that-w_2121540.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/susan-rice-4480_american-leadership_i-think-most-americans-understand-that-w_2121540.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think most Americans understand that we went through a period in which American leadership was judged…” — Susan Rice", "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": "Susan Rice", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think most Americans understand that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-think-most-americans-understand-that-we-went-through-a-period-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-think-most-americans-understand-that-we-went-through-a-period-in/#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 } } ] } ```