Quotes by Robert Kagan

“I think most Americans believe that although its better not to use military force if you can avoid it, that the world simply doesnt provide us the luxury of giving away military force as an important tool of foreign policy.”

“Europe, partly because of the sort of political miracle it accomplished on the European continent, has developed a very strong faith in international institutions, international legal mechanisms, as the key to international order, and have really begun to view military power as an illegitimate form of activity, but in any case, something that is to be avoided at almost all costs.”

“Well, I think hes right to notice that there is a difference in attitudes and even in the broadest sense of world view between Eastern Europe and Western Europe. Which is old and which is new is an interesting question, and I almost think that maybe hes got it backwards.”

“How long that will last is another question because if they become more and more secure, they may, in fact, become more like West Europe.”

“The international perception of the U.S. leadership is hobbled, ... The assumption is, the president is weak. And this has a direct and immediate impact on the way other countries deal with us.”

“The non-military answer in Iran is political change.”

“Were Congress somehow to reject the Administrations deal in some effort to maintain a consistent principle on non-proliferation, it would have no effect on Irans decisions. But that futile gesture would have a devastating effect on US relations with India.”