--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the Iraqis themselves will have…" description: "\"I think the Iraqis themselves will have to make a determination as to what type of government they ultimately come up with and what kind of nation they..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/816/tom-vilsack-8494_country_i-think-the-iraqis-themselves-will-have_942529.jpg" --- # I think the Iraqis themselves will have to make a… ![“I think the Iraqis themselves will have to make a determination as to what type of government they ultimately come up with and what kind of nation they ultimately come up with. But they can continually use America's troops presence. The problem is not going to change until they are confronted with…” quote by Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/816/tom-vilsack-8494_country_i-think-the-iraqis-themselves-will-have_942529.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/816/tom-vilsack-8494_country_i-think-the-iraqis-themselves-will-have_942529.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/816/tom-vilsack-8494_country_i-think-the-iraqis-themselves-will-have_942529.jpg) > “I think the Iraqis themselves will have to make a determination as to what type of government they ultimately come up with and what kind of nation they ultimately come up with. But they can continually use America's troops presence. The problem is not going to change until they are confronted with the reality that they have to make decisions and they have to make them themselves. They have to decide whether they want a country, whether they're willing to put their lives on the line and sacrifice for a national interest as opposed to a regional or sectarian interest.” [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes that Iraq must decide its own political future, despite external military influence, urging self‑determination. **In simple terms:** Iraq must choose its own path. Key Takeaway Support local agency in nation‑building. Themes politics self‑determination foreign policy Mood serious analytical Type political strategic When to use this quote - policy planning - international aid - civil‑society workshops Key Concepts sovereignty national identity regional interests Questions to Reflect On - How can external actors respect sovereignty while helping? - What steps foster sustainable local decision‑making? A Different Perspective External pressure may limit genuine autonomy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Country Willing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-willing-988788/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Iraqis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraqis/) [Iraqis Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraqis-make-1622226/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Nation Ultimately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nation-ultimately-1622227/) [National interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-interest/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Think Iraqis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-iraqis-342605/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [From watching the news one would think the Iraqis want us out of their country. 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It is about who we are as a country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pramila-jayapal/immigration-is-about-more-than-just-who-comes-here-and-who-is-allowed/) [Pramila Jayapal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pramila-jayapal/) > [I don't know what country's willing to export - for free - the computer scientists, engineers, doctors. 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