Richard N. Haass

“American influence in the world depends on the ability to act with real capacity and set an example that others will want to follow. This all takes resources.”

“Americans were happy to buy vast quantities of relatively inexpensive Chinese manufactured goods, demand for which provided jobs for the tens of millions of Chinese who moved from poor agricultural areas to new or rapidly expanding cities.”

“Nationalism is a tool increasingly used by leaders to bolster their authority, especially amid difficult economic and political conditions.”

“How can we pressure China on North Korea if China's one of the two largest holders of American debt?”

“Russia may well be willing to stop interfering in Eastern Ukraine in exchange for a degree of sanctions relief if it could be assured that ethnic Russians there would not face reprisals.”

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

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

“Wars of necessity are essentially unavoidable. They involve the most important national interests, a lack of promising alternatives to the use of force, and a certain and considerable price to be paid if the status quo is allowed to stand. Examples include World War II and the Korean War.”

“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.'”

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

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

“It is important to signal that opposition to the use of any weapon of mass destruction is both deep and broad.”

“September 11, 2001, was a terrible tragedy by any measure, but it was not a historical turning point. It did not herald a new era of international relations in which terrorists with a global agenda prevailed or in which such spectacular terrorist attacks became commonplace.”

“Terrorists and terrorism cannot be eliminated any more than we can rid the world of disease. There will always be those who will resort to force against innocent men, women, and children in pursuit of political goals.”

“The United States, working closely with the United Kingdom and others, established the liberal world order in the wake of World War II. The goal was to ensure that the conditions that had led to two world wars in 30 years would never again arise.”

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

“There is a clear norm against the spread of nuclear weapons, but there is no consensus or treaty on what, if anything, is to be done once a country develops or acquires nuclear weapons.”

“If Trump, for whatever reason, continues to coddle Russia, then Congress, the media, foundations, and academics should publicly detail the corruption that characterizes Putin's rule.”

“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.”