Ben Carson Quotes

Not every action requires military action. As a matter of fact, military action is the very last resort for us.

I could have been very popular if I had launched a military attack on Iran but I chose patience.

Is a military solution the only way to stop nations from doing bad things?

Politics and war are remarkably similar situations.

I also hear your president say that war is the means of last resort and I think he means that. I met him last autumn and he assured me that they wanted to come through and disarm Iraq by peaceful means, and that's what we are trying to do as hard as we can.

In international affairs, you never threaten things you're not prepared to do.

I didn't vote for Bush, and I'm not happy particularly that he's president. But I will say I'm impressed that he didn't start bombing Afghanistan the day after Sept. 11. The more time that passes without him bombing Afghanistan, the more I respect him.

Sanctions and boycotts would be tied to serious political dialogue.

Therefore, if one were to consider that there was virtually no possibility of success through the US-Japan negotiations, the military and economic pressures would only force Japan into further crisis if time were allowed to pass in vain.

As a liberal and progressive, I abhor the notion of conflict and bloodshed and very much want to find a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue.

All war represents a failure of diplomacy.

Either a war has to be fought, or it doesn't.

There are consequences if you act militarily, and there's big consequences if you don't act.

We don't thrive on military acts. We do them because we have to, and thank God we are efficient.

You should never take military intervention off the table. When you do so, you give an out to a rogue nation or rogue actors.

Statecraft, as these cases convincingly illustrate, is demanding and often exhausting work. There are risks, and success is not guaranteed. It requires major governmental and political resources and the same kind of hourly, year-round planning and execution as the conduct of a military campaign.

I make an earnest appeal to those who hold responsible positions both in this country and abroad to weigh their words very carefully before they utter them on this matter, bearing in mind the consequences that may flow from some rash or thoughtless phrase. By exercising caution and patience and self-restraint we may yet be able to save the peace of Europe.

We have to deal with it diplomatically if we can, militarily if we must.

Sanctions are not diplomacy; they are a precursor to war.

Serbia must now be dealt with.

Diplomacy is important, extremely important, and I don't think these reductions at the State Department are appropriate because many times diplomacy is a lot more effective - and cert cheaper - than military engagement.

Relieving the risk of a nuclear conflict with Iran diplomatically is superior than trying to do that militarily.

For Italy, sanctions are never an end; they are an instrument that must be overcome as soon as possible.

The military can buy our diplomats some time.

Obviously, having served in wars myself, I'm eager to do everything possible to avoid them, but our military capability vis-a-vis a country like Iran is a major source of leverage in any negotiation that we should never, ever give up.