Noam Chomsky Quotes

A supreme pragmatist, Kissinger was never interested in the art of the impossible - and nor, as a biographer, am I. That is why, having initially been invited to write his entire official biography, I eventually decided to devote myself to writing just one year in his life: 1973.

A candidate’s command of foreign policy acts as a proxy for assessing broader leadership abilities.

I have always thought that foreign-policy idealism has to be tempered with realism.

I think the next president needs to lead on cultural issues and experience, particularly on foreign policy.

George Bush has shown great skill at disguising an incredibly weak foreign policy.

I have never dealt with people who have so little political sagacity as the Turks.

When it comes to foreign policy, the American people will ultimately reward not the party with the most ambitious vision but the party with the most sober and realistic one.

Foreign policy is like plumbing. You never notice it till it breaks and then all hell breaks loose.

Barack Obama, foreign policy wizard. I just have to laugh.

Politically, foreign policy never matters until it matters, and then it matters a lot.

I work with the president and speak with him multiple times a week. This is a man, he didn't become the president by accident. And as much as everyone wants to talk about stability, was he unstable when he passed the tax reform? Was he unstable when we finally hit back at Syria and said no more chemical weapons?

A mercurial plan of action may have worked in the Trump Organization board room, but it's a disastrous tactic in foreign affairs.

We need a dramatically expanded use of statecraft.

Realism is important in foreign policy. You have to be realistic about what you can achieve, and about the pitfalls, and problems along the way, of which there are plenty. Nothing is easy. It's always rough.

International incidents must not be allowed to shape foreign policy, foreign policy must shape the incidents.

Americans are inclined to see the world and foreign affairs in black and white.

Bill Clinton's foreign policy experience stems mainly from having breakfast at the International House of Pancakes.

No nation has friends only interests.

I used to have a little saying I used when people said, 'What are your priorities?' I'd give them a bit of government alphabet soup. I'd say 'CTCPROW: Counterterrorism, counterproliferation, rest of the world.'

The matter of international relations is very subtle and exquisite.

I am the Counselor at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

… realpolitik

You'd make a great Secretary of State because State Department personnel don't answer questions completely either.

I voted against him the first time because I thought he didn't have enough international experience. I voted for him the second time because I was proven wrong.

Very near the heart of all foreign affairs is the relationship between policy and military power.