"It's true that the question of Iraq divided Europe"
- Jean-Pierre Raffarin
About this Quote
This quote by Jean-Pierre Raffarin is referring to the 2003 intrusion of Iraq by the United States and its allies. The invasion was highly controversial and divided Europe into two camps. On one side were those who supported the invasion, such as the United Kingdom and Spain, while on the other side were those who opposed it, such as France and Germany. This division was not only political, however also ideological, as some countries saw the intrusion as an offense of international law while others saw it as a necessary action to safeguard the world from a possible risk. The department of Europe over the Iraq War was a significant factor in the weakening of the European Union and the increase of nationalism in the region. It likewise highlighted the distinctions between the United States and Europe in terms of foreign policy and the use of military force. The Iraq War was a significant occasion in current history and it holds true that it divided Europe in a manner that had actually not been seen prior to.
"If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?"