'And a year from now, I'll be very surprised if there is not some grand square in Baghdad that is named after President Bush. There is no doubt that, with the exception of a very small number of people close to a vicious regime, the people of Iraq have been liberated and they understand that they've been liberated. And it is getting easier every day for Iraqis to express that sense of liberation.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Perle predicts Baghdad will honor Bush and claims Iraqis feel liberated from their regime.
- In plain terms
- He thinks Iraqis will name a square after Bush and are happy to be free.
- What can you take from it?
- Political narratives often assume local populations share the invader's goals.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do occupied peoples express freedom?
- Who decides liberation is successful?
Another view
This overlooks the complexity of post-war sentiment and resistance.
More from Richard Perle
'I think in this case international law stood in the way of doing the right thing.' (2003)
Permalink to quote #2 Sometimes the things we have to do are objectionable in the eyes of others.
Permalink to quote #4 'Iraq is a very wealthy country. Enourmous oil reserves. They can finance, largely finance the reconstruction of their own country. And I have no doubt they wi…
Permalink to quote #1
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