Thomas Jefferson Quotes

There is no need to fear Russia's actions, they are not aggressive... They are aimed at maintaining balance in the world order, and are extremely important for maintaining peace and security globally.

There is not much danger of the smaller nations if the big nations will behave.

Let us above all things avoid as much as possible entangling ourselves with their wars and politics … America has been the sport of European wars and politics long enough.

Most people are disturbed by the shift from deterrence to preemption but the fact is that in international relations, deterrence has a poor track record

In 1913 many believed that there would never again be a war in Europe. The great powers of the continent were so closely intertwined economically that the view was widespread that they could no longer afford to have military confrontations.

I remain committed to a balanced policy, which will protect our national interests both on our eastern border - I mean with Russia - and of course with the European Union.

So, anything that avoids a conflict that could draw in, unhappily again, outside powers such as the United States or revisit, for example, Japan's interests in the Taiwan area would be the last thing that anyone would want.

American presence is, you know, the major cause of balance of power and the stability in this region.

Only a strong America can guarantee a peaceful world.

It is not possible to create peace in the Middle East by jeopardizing the peace of the world.

Clearly, for France in her present position, intelligent activity consists of practicing a policy of entente with Germany in order to survive

I have ever deemed it fundamental for the United States never to take active part in the quarrels of Europe. Their political interests are entirely distinct from ours. Their mutual jealousies, their balance of power, their complicated alliances, their forms and principles of government, are all foreign to us. They are nations of eternal war.

There will no longer be need for spheres of influence, for alliances, balances of power ...

[To Americans] diplomacy means all the wicked devices of the Old World, spheres of influence, balances of power, secret treaties, triple alliances, and, during the interwar period, appeasement of Fascism.

True and solid peace of nations consists not in equality of arms, but in mutual trust alone.

The engagement policy of détente made the United States number two in a world where it is dangerous, if not fatal, to be second best

Disarment ... is a continuing imperative.

Prudence dictates that there should be a balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region.

The 'realist' conception of continuing old-fashioned 'balance of power' politics may have been well founded in the past, but it is inconsistent with our increasing interdependent world. On moral grounds alone there can be no justification for the 20th century level of killing. To settle disputes without violence must become the primary goal of foreign policy for every nation.

Many Europeans are concerned that stronger sanctions are a slippery slope toward war unless the U.S. is at the table.

With respect to Euro-Atlantic integration, we have to realize that we need to normalize the relationships with our neighbors, and especially with Russia.

Both Bibi and Obama realize that they are going to have to face the problem of Iran together.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States and China are more likely to view each other as competitors if not adversaries. But the die has not been cast. The best possible outcome is a new understanding that when they cannot cooperate, they will coexist and allow all countries in the Pacific to grow and thrive.

The world would be better off with multiple superpowers. When Communist USSR was a superpower, the world was better off.

For the Kremlin, it is more feasible to preserve its great-power status in cooperation with the United States than in confrontation.