Richard N. Haass Quotes

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Richard N. Haass

Profession : Diplomat

Birth : July 28, 1951

Europeans must shed their illusions about what they can accomplish in the world on their own. Loose talk about resurrecting a multi-polar world is just that - loose talk.

Richard N. Haass

It is neither feasible nor desirable for Europe to establish itself as a geopolitical equal or competitor of the U.S.

Richard N. Haass

We all have some basic obligation to one another.

Richard N. Haass

In a global world, what happens within one country can all too easily affect others.

Richard N. Haass

Middle East history is replete with examples of missed and lost chances to make peace.

Richard N. Haass

Russian membership in the World Trade Organization has the potential to strengthen the rule of law, combat corruption, and give Russia a stake in better relations with the outside world.

Richard N. Haass

Trade is the all-but-forgotten weapon in the battle against poverty, but it can provide more help to the poor than aid can.

Richard N. Haass

What countries must do to join the World Trade Organization is precisely what they must do to become productive and democratic: accept the rule of law, reduce corruption, and become open, accountable, and transparent.

Richard N. Haass

A China that trades extensively with the U.S. and its Asian neighbors will think twice before it pursues any policy that would place those relationships at risk. Likewise, trade between India and Pakistan could contribute to the normalization of ties between these long-estranged neighbors.

Richard N. Haass

The benefits of freer trade, such as job creation, lower inflation, and greater consumer choice, are often invisible or only partly visible.

Richard N. Haass

Weapons of mass destruction - nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons - are just that, and no cause can excuse their use.

Richard N. Haass

Modern terrorism is too destructive to be tolerated, much less supported.

Richard N. Haass

No one pursuing reasonable goals and who is prepared to compromise can argue that terrorism is his or his group's only option.

Richard N. Haass

Terrorism needs to be de-legitimized in the way that slavery has been. Doing so will make governments and individuals think twice before becoming a party to terrorism; it should also make it less difficult to garner support for international action against those who nevertheless carry it out.

Richard N. Haass

The United States emerged from the Cold War with unprecedented absolute and relative power. It was truly first among unequals.

Richard N. Haass

The decision to attack Iraq in March 2003 was discretionary; it was a war of choice.

Richard N. Haass

There is no getting around the reality that the second Iraq war was a war of choice; had it been carried out differently, it still would have been an expensive choice and almost certainly a bad one.

Richard N. Haass

I am confident in saying that Oberlin did more for me than vice versa. I took a fantastic class in religion, which led me to archaeology, which got me to the Middle East, which led me to international relations, which launched me on my career.

Richard N. Haass

Dissent is difficult. It can constitute a real dilemma for the person who disagrees.

Richard N. Haass

Dissent is as American as cherry pie.

Richard N. Haass