"The military don't start wars. Politicians start wars"
- William Westmoreland
About this Quote
This quote by William Westmoreland is a reminder that it is political leaders, not the armed forces, who are in charge of starting wars. Westmoreland is highlighting that the armed force is not the one to blame for the initiation of battles, however instead the political leaders who make the decisions to go to war. This quote is a pointer that the armed force is merely following orders as well as is not the one responsible for the initiation of wars. It is the political leaders who are in charge of deciding to head to battle as well as the armed force is just following orders. This quote is a suggestion that the military should not be blamed for the initiation of battles, but rather the political leaders who make the decisions to go to battle.
This quote is written / told by William Westmoreland between March 26, 1914 and July 18, 2005. He/she was a famous Soldier from USA, the quote is categorized under the topic War. The author also have 26 other quotes.
"Developments in information technology and globalised media mean that the most powerful military in the history of the world can lose a war, not on the battlefield of dust and blood, but on the battlefield of world opinion"
"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded"
"After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in a society where the only people allowed guns are the police and the military"
"We shall listen, not lecture; learn, not threaten. We will enhance our safety by earning the respect of others and showing respect for them. In short, our foreign policy will rest on the traditional American values of restraint and empathy, not on military might"
"The later it gets the more disturbed the city becomes. I go with Albert through the streets. Men are standing in groups at every corner. Rumours are flying. It is said that the military have already fired on a procession of demonstrating workers"
"Of course, there is no question that Libya - and the world - will be better off with Gaddafi out of power. I, along with many other world leaders, have embraced that goal, and will actively pursue it through non-military means. But broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake"
