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I hope the message that we fight not a religion, but a group of fanatics which have hijacked a religion is getting through. I understand the propaganda machines are cranked up in the international community that paints our country in a bad light. We'll do everything we can to remind people that we've never been a nation of conquerors; we're a nation of liberators. And I would ask the skeptics to look at Afghanistan, where not only this country rout the Taliban, which was one of the most barbaric regimes in the history of mankind, but thanks to our strength and our compassion, many young girls now go to school for the first time.

George W. Bush#96

WarForeign policyHuman rightsPropagandaLiberation

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker distinguishes between a religion and extremists, justifying military action as liberation that brought benefits like education to women.
In plain terms
We fight terrorists not a religion, and our actions helped people like girls go to school.
What can you take from it?
Clarify that actions target extremists, not entire groups.

Where it applies

  • international relations
  • public diplomacy
  • conflict zones

Putting it to work

  • crafting narratives
  • highlighting benefits
  • addressing critics

Questions to consider

  • How do you separate a group from a faith?
  • What makes an action liberating?

Another view

Military intervention often has unintended consequences beyond stated goals.

More from George W. Bush

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  3. Sometimes things aren't exactly black and white when it comes to accounting procedures.

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