Barack Obama Quotes

What really matters for great powers is power—national economic and military strength—and that speaks loudly and clearly for itself.

Without education, we are weaker economically. Without economic power, we are weaker in terms of national security. No great military power has ever remained so without great economic power.

A nation is a superpower not just because of its military strength.

We've got to make sure that our economy is strong at home so that we can project military power overseas.

If we do not have the economic resources to be a leader, it’s going to affect our foreign policy.

If our economy is strong, that means the military will be strong. If our economy is weak, that weakens our military.

What we have to do is we have to make sure that our country is as strong as it can be economically and from a defense standpoint.

Clearly, we need a strong economy to build a strong military.

In the long run the security of the United States is protected by economic strength. In the short run, military strength, in the long run economic.

The definition of superpower cannot mean only military might anymore.

The strength of a nation depends in a great measure upon its wealth …

When the economies of countries grow, their militaries generally do as well.

There is a rank due to the United States among nations, which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness. If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure the peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war.

We must never allow America to become the second strongest nation I the world.

The goal of this Nation, I so strongly believe, is to be a preeminent world power. We have to understand what comes with that: The responsibility to be strong.

Wealth brings strength, strength confidence.

My overall worldview has never changed: that America has and must maintain the strongest military in the world, that we must lead the international community to confront threats and challenges together, and that we must use all tools of American power to protect our citizens and our interests.

A major power can afford a military debacle only when it looks like a political victory.

In peace and war it's always money.

Modern power depends on money and guns. And we have the most of both.

The more money we have to throw around the better off we're going to be. I think this country doesn't understand its power around the world economically—its ability to buy friends.

A superpower, however, is only as good as the forces through which it exercises that power.

Only a United States that is strong and immensely productive can help defend freedom in our world

The time has come to recognize that the U.S. will continue to exercise unprecedented power in a world where international rules are still unreliable and where security and advancing of the free democratic order still depend significantly on the possession and use of military might.

Engaging the foreign state in trade agreements and concessions with the intent of enhancing moderate social elements will concomitantly strengthen the economic and military power of the challenger.