Reconstruction Challenges Quotes

We must reduce as far as possible our establishment in Germany; for the residence of large numbers of representatives of a victor nation in a devastated conquered area is never a helpful factor, particularly when their living standards are as conspicuously different as are those of Americans in Germany.

The rebuilding of Iraq has been terrible.

You can't expect humanitarian and development agencies to rebuild Syria. There is not enough money. There is not enough capacity. There are not enough skills.

Want is one only of five giants on the road of reconstruction; the others are Disease, Ignorance, Squalor, and Idleness.

The process to resolve post-Islamic State issues will be difficult and intense.

We did receive a large amount of aid. Unfortunately, there's not much to show for it. The infrastructure has been depleted.... We would like to see that this time aid can be used honestly.

There are people who haven't faced the reality of what has gone on in Iraq. They still think that the old central state is going to be put back together again. It's not going to happen in Kurdistan. It's not going to happen in the south. It's not going to happen in Baghdad.

Iraq and Afghanistan have exacted a toll on America - in lives, treasure and standing - that it will take a generation to work through.

History is the always incomplete and problematic reconstruction of what is no longer there