Paul Wolfowitz Quotes

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About Paul Wolfowitz

Paul Wolfowitz (born June 25, 1943) is an American political scientist, academic, and former government official known for his influential role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, particularly during the George W. Bush administration. Born in Brooklyn, New York to Jewish immigrant parents, Wolfowitz's early life was marked by a strong intellectual curiosity. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his PhD in Political Science from Yale University. His academic career began at the Inter-American Defense College in Washington D.C., where he taught military officers about U.S. foreign policy. Wolfowitz's political career took off when he joined the Reagan Administration, serving as Assistant Secretary of State for Policy Planning (1986-1989). He was a key figure in formulating the strategy that led to the first Gulf War. In 2001, he became Deputy Secretary of Defense under George W. Bush and played a significant role in advocating for the Iraq War. After leaving government service, Wolfowitz served as President of the World Bank from 2005 to 2007, a tenure marked by controversy over allegations of nepotism and abuse of power. He later returned to academia, serving as a visiting scholar at universities such as Harvard and Stanford. Wolfowitz's influence extends beyond government service and academia. His ideas on the role of American power in global politics have been both lauded and criticized. Notable quotes reflect his firm belief in assertive foreign policy, such as, "We are really up against a very difficult, almost intractable enemy... [Iraqi] resistance" and "For 60 years, the United States has been careful to sustain an international order that maintains peace and stability, but also provides us with the opportunity to protect our interests." Wolfowitz continues to be a prominent figure in global politics and foreign policy debates. His legacy remains controversial, yet his ideas continue to shape discussions on U.S. foreign policy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"For 50 years, the United States has been proud to stand with Israel and the Jewish people."

This quote by Paul Wolfowitz signifies a long-standing alliance between the United States and Israel, based on mutual respect, shared values, and a strong bond that spans over five decades. The statement reflects pride in this relationship and a recognition of the significance of the Jewish people, both historically and in contemporary society. It also implies continued support from the U.S. to Israel throughout the years.


"The essence of strategy is choosing what battles to fight."

The quote by Paul Wolfowitz, "The essence of strategy is choosing what battles to fight," underscores the importance of discernment in decision-making, particularly in complex or challenging situations. It suggests that not every problem requires an immediate or aggressive response, and understanding which issues merit attention and resources is crucial for effective leadership and successful outcomes. In essence, it encourages us to be strategic, thoughtful, and measured in our actions, rather than reactive or impulsive.


"We are really up against it. Maybe its like we're in the third innings of a nine-inning game."

This quote by Paul Wolfowitz implies that the situation they're dealing with is critical or challenging, similar to being in the third inning of a baseball game where the outcome can be decisive if not managed well. It suggests a sense of urgency, as they have entered a crucial phase and need to give their best efforts to achieve a favorable result by the end of the 'game'.


"We are an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality."

This quote by Paul Wolfowitz reflects a power dynamic where one party, in this case, being the United States (or any dominant entity), has such significant influence that it can shape events and circumstances to its own advantage, often referred to as constructing or creating its own reality. It signifies a perception of near-unilateral control, where actions have profound consequences on the world stage, reshaping global affairs in line with one's interests and values. This perspective has been subject to debate, as it can be seen both as an assertion of power and a potential source of destabilization.


"The United States has been too reactive in the Middle East for too long."

This quote suggests that Paul Wolfowitz, a former U.S. diplomat and administrator, believed that the U.S., in its involvement with the Middle East, has tended to respond to crises or situations rather than taking proactive measures to shape events. He implies that this reactive approach may have led to prolonged instability in the region over a significant period. The quote calls for a more strategic, forward-thinking approach from the U.S. in its Middle Eastern policy.


I have always had a tendency to keep enlarging problems which I personally think is the way the world works... that seeing anything one dimensionally on the kinds of political, sort of big issues of human progress is going to be a distorted view of things, which is why over my career I have gone seemingly from subject to subject to subject.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Career, Big, Works, Human Progress

No one argues that we should have imposed a dictatorship in Afghanistan having liberated the country. Similarly, we weren't about to impose a dictatorship in Iraq having liberated the country.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Country, Imposed, Having, Impose

I think one has to say it's not just simply a matter of capturing people and holding them accountable, but removing the sanctuaries, removing the support systems, ending states who sponsor terrorism. And that's why it has to be a broad and sustained campaign.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Why, I Think, Sponsor, Capturing

Generally speaking, the stronger the connection between the financing and the ultimate beneficiary, the better the result.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Better, Result, Speaking, Financing

Poles understand perhaps better than anyone the consequences of making toothless warnings to brutal tyrants and terrorist regimes.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Making, Brutal, Poles, Regimes

We did not go to war in Afghanistan or in Iraq to, quote, 'impose democracy.' We went to war in both places because we saw those regimes as a threat to the United States.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Go, United, United States, Regimes

Support for peaceful reform by the people themselves is the right way to promote democracy, not the use of force.

- Paul Wolfowitz

People, Right, Use, Right Way

I think it's a mistake to rely too much on any one economic factor. It's why investors try to spread their portfolio round.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Mistake, Think, I Think, Factor

It's a very bad thing when people exterminate other people, and people persecute minorities.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Bad, Other, Very, Persecute

The absence of Saddam is a huge weight off the Arab world.

- Paul Wolfowitz

World, Absence, Saddam, Arab World

If greater openness is a key to economic success, I believe there is increasingly a need for openness in the political sphere as well.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Believe, Need, Increasingly, Sphere

I think all foreigners should stop interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq. Those who want to come and help are welcome. Those who come to interfere and destroy are not.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Think, I Think, Internal, Affairs

The internal affairs of other countries has a big impact on American interests.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Big, Other, Internal, Affairs

Public action should seek to expand the set of opportunities of those who have the least voice and fewest resources and capabilities.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Voice, Set, Capabilities, Fewest

I'm not sure the oil producers are enjoying real growth. That troubles me. For experience has shown that oil can be more of a curse than a blessing. And not only in Africa.

- Paul Wolfowitz

More, Africa, Sure, Blessing

I think that all countries that participate in multilateral institutions see the institutions as a way of advancing what they view as their national interests and they see in many cases multi-lateral institution as the best way to do that.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Think, I Think, Best Way, National Interests

The most striking thing is that even before Osama bin Laden was killed, he seemed largely irrelevant to the Arab Spring.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Irrelevant, Before, Seemed, Arab

Part of what is wrong with the view of American imperialism is that it is antithetical to our interests. We are better off when people are governing themselves. I'm sure there is some guy that will tell you that philosophy is no different from the Roman Empire's. Well, it is fundamentally different.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Tell, Some, Part, Imperialism

Jobs are a priority for every country. Doing more to improve regulation and help entrepreneurs is the key to creating jobs - and more growth.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Doing, Country, More, Priority

Someone once said that history has more imagination than all the scenario writers in the Pentagon, and we have a lot of scenario writers here. No one ever wrote a scenario for commercial airliners crashing into the World Trade Center.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Here, Commercial, Lot, Pentagon

Look, I think the notion that there's a dogma or doctrine of foreign policy that gives you a textbook recipe for how to react to all situations is really nonsense.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Think, I Think, Textbook, Doctrine

History is just littered with problems that were solved that were supposed to be impossible.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Were, Littered, Supposed, Problems

China, in the future, is going to have even more nuclear capability than it has had in the past. I don't believe that they have anything to fear from the United States, and I frankly don't believe they do fear the United States.

- Paul Wolfowitz

In The Past, United States, Capability

Before September 11, terrorism was viewed as something ugly but you lived with it.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Terrorism, Before, Viewed, September

Look, I think the public generally understands that what's at stake in Afghanistan is American security, number one.

- Paul Wolfowitz

American, Think, I Think, Understands

For the private sector to flourish, special privilege must give way to equal opportunity and equal risk for all.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Opportunity, Give, Private, Flourish

We don't start a job that we can't finish... that's the American way.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Start, American, Finish, American Way

I like globalization; I want to say it works, but it is hard to say that when six hundred million people are slipping backwards.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Slipping, Hundred, Works, Globalization

That sense of what happened in Europe in World War II has shaped a lot of my views.

- Paul Wolfowitz

World, Shaped, Lot, World War II

It's wonderful that so many people want to contribute to fighting aids or malaria. But, if somebody isn't paying attention to the overall health system in the country, a whole lot of money can be wasted.

- Paul Wolfowitz

Want, Country, Contribute, So Many People

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