Richard N. Haass Quotes

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Richard N. Haass

Profession : Diplomat

Birth : July 28, 1951

It is true that the U.S. could and should have been more generous as Russia made its painful transition to a market economy in the 1990s.

Richard N. Haass

Indeed, the big U.S. error after 9/11 was to treat Pakistan as if it were an ally. With an ally, it is possible to assume a large degree of policy overlap. With Pakistan, no such assumption can be made.

Richard N. Haass

Bad situations can always get worse.

Richard N. Haass

American presidents get to make lots of choices, with one critical exception: what awaits them in the in-box on top of the desk in the Oval Office.

Richard N. Haass

The United States is not just another country. It has more capacity and potential to influence the world than any other country - and no other country has the resources and mindset to lead a world that is not on autopilot.

Richard N. Haass

It is in the interest of Americans to find out what those wanting to be president think about a wide range of challenges and what they might do about them. We should want to get their take on the wisdom of past decisions, what they agree and disagree with, and why.

Richard N. Haass

In a world in which the United States does less, whatever set of calculations, other countries will tend to calculate - to move in one of two ways. Either they will assuage or, to use a more loaded term, appease the strongest power in the neighborhood with all the consequences of that, or they will determine to take matters into their own hands.

Richard N. Haass

If old American alliance commitments don't count for as much, countries will, in some cases, then say, 'Well, we've got to militarize in certain ways and act more independently.'

Richard N. Haass

Paradigm shifts, particularly in diplomacy and security issues, are, by definition, major undertakings.

Richard N. Haass

Americans never would alter the way entitlement programs are funded or education administered without serious study and widespread debate.

Richard N. Haass

America's armed forces are an essential background to much of what the U.S. accomplishes internationally.

Richard N. Haass

Not every threat to America's national interests can be addressed with military power.

Richard N. Haass

An open, market-oriented, and peaceful Iraq could also advance reform and growth across the entire region.

Richard N. Haass

Security is the absolute precondition for sustainable recovery from conflict; without it, people cannot rebuild their country or return to school or work.

Richard N. Haass

It is difficult to think of a foreign policy issue that preoccupies and polarizes world opinion as much as the Palestinian question.

Richard N. Haass

For too long, America tolerated a 'democratic exception' in the Muslim Middle East. As long as governments were friendly and backed regional stability, there was no need for outsiders to encourage representative government.

Richard N. Haass

Democracy requires an informed citizenry able to question its government.

Richard N. Haass

History shows that societies where opportunity is safeguarded tend to be societies that are good international citizens.

Richard N. Haass

No country can succeed if it denies itself the talents of half of its people.

Richard N. Haass

Americans, for their part, must accept that a strong Europe will not be content to simply do America's bidding.

Richard N. Haass