"It's not a choice between war and peace. It's a choice between war and endless war. It's not appeasement. I think it's better even to call it American self-interest"
- Michael Scheuer
About this Quote
This quote by Michael Scheuer recommends that the United States should not be faced with a binary choice in between war and peace. Rather, the United States should recognize that the alternative to war is not necessarily peace, however rather an unlimited cycle of war. Scheuer is promoting for a various method to foreign policy, one that is based upon American self-interest rather than appeasement. He is suggesting that the US should take a more proactive stance in global affairs, one that is concentrated on securing its own interests instead of appeasing other countries. By doing so, the United States can prevent the expensive and destructive cycle of war and instead pursue a more sustainable and helpful diplomacy.
"When the principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then the battle is your calling, and peace has become sin. You must at the price of dearest peace lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy with all the fire of your faith"