"I don't believe in deadlines, I don't believe in telling the enemy when we're going to withdraw"

In this quote, Ken Buck, an American political leader, reveals an apprehension towards the idea of deadlines, particularly in the context of military technique and operations. His statement recommends a belief that rigid timelines can be counterproductive, particularly when dealing with enemies. By stressing that he does not "believe in due dates", Buck is likely critiquing the practice of setting fixed dates for military withdrawal or the completion of strategic objectives. This method can be seen as limiting versatility and potentially undermining tactical advantages.

The 2nd part of the quote, "I don't think in telling the opponent when we're going to withdraw", enhances this position. Dollar indicates that announcing withdrawal dates openly can provide strategic details to challengers, enabling them to adapt their plans appropriately. By exposing such information, it might accidentally empower the opponent to tactically adjust their actions to suffer the dispute or exploit the predictable timeframe of withdrawal.

In a wider sense, this perspective highlights a preference for flexibility and unpredictability in military operations. It argues against revealing commitments that might be used against one's own tactical interests. Dollar's viewpoint aligns with a military doctrine that values surprise, flexibility, and the component of unpredictability in keeping an advantage in conflicts.

Furthermore, this perspective may be rooted in a belief that military and political leaders need to retain the discretion to adjust plans based on evolving scenarios rather than being bound by self-imposed deadlines that the enemy can make use of. It shows a realist technique to diplomacy and military strategy, focusing on practical and tactical considerations over public and political pressure to adhere to particular timelines.

In general, the quote highlights a tension in between the need for strategic openness with allies and the desire to keep a competitive edge by keeping vital info from adversaries.