Achieve Quote by Ted Koppel
“Look, fundamentally there are two sets of questions that apply in the war against terrorism. The one set of questions deals with the, "Where is it going to happen? What's going to happen? When is it going to happen?" The other set of questions deals with, "What is it that our enemy, the terrorists, are trying to achieve?" What are they trying to induce us to do?”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Television interview on terrorism, 2001
It distinguishes predictive questions about attack timing and location from strategic questions about terrorist goals and intended effects.
In simple terms: Focus on when/where vs. why terrorists act.
Key Takeaway
Address both prediction and purpose.
Themes
security
terrorism
strategy
policy
analysis
Mood
urgent
analytical
cautious
Type
strategic
informative
When to use this quote
- counterterrorism planning
- public safety measures
- intelligence analysis
- media reporting
Key Concepts
Risk assessment
psychology of conflict
deterrence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance immediate threat assessment with understanding long‑term terrorist objectives?
- What methods reveal terrorist intent beyond observable patterns?
A Different Perspective
Predicting attacks may not reveal underlying motives, limiting response effectiveness.
![“They [terrorists] are trying to evoke sympathy for themselves. They're not sympathetic people. They're violent, cold-blooded killers who are trying to stop the advance of freedom.” quote by George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1a2/george-w-bush-64_cold_they-terrorists-are-trying-to-evoke-symp_813402.jpg)
