“We must have systems of checks and balances to make sure that those people who are making critical decisions for our country are held accountable, and nowhere is that more important than in the area of national security.” PeopleImportantCountryDecisionSecurityBalanceAreasCriticalChecksOur CountryNational SecurityCritical Decisions Author:Chris Van Hollen
“With an agenda dominated by global security and U.N. reform, it appears that the decisions needed to lift millions of people from abject poverty are not being given the prominence they deserve.” PeopleGivenDecisionPovertyMillionsSecurityNeededDeserveReformLiftsAgendasProminence Author:Kumi Naidoo
“Another longstanding foreign policy flaw is the degree to which special interests dictate the way in which the "national interest" as a whole is defined and pursued.... America's important historic relationship with Israel has often led foreign policy decision-makers to defer reflexively to Israeli security assessments, and to replicate Israeli tactics, which, as the war in Lebanon last summer demonstrated, can turn out to be counter-productive.” WayImportantWarWholeLastsAmericaTurnsInterestDecisionSpecialSecurityPolicyDegreesSummerIsraelDefinedProductiveFlawsMakersForeign PolicyHistoricTacticsPursuedIsraeliAssessmentSpecial InterestsLebanonNational InterestsReplicateDecision MakersLast Summer Author:Samantha Power
“A host of positive psychological changes inevitably will result from widespread economic security. The dignity of the individual will flourish when the decisions concerning his life are in his own hands, when he has the means to seek self-improvement. Personal conflicts among husbands, wives and children will diminish when the unjust measurement of human worth on the scale of dollars is eliminated.” HumansMeanChildrenSelfWisdomHandsPoliticsIndividualDecisionResultsEconomyWifeEconomicSecurityHusbandConflictSelf ImprovementDignityDollarsImprovementScalesPsychologicalLiberalismHostUnjustDiminishMeasurementEconomic JusticeEconomic SecurityHusband Wife Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
“We had very good discussions on current security challenges and NATO's continued adaptation to meet them. Canada is a committed ally and a capable contributor to international security. We appreciate your quick decision to deploy forces, planes and ships to strengthen our collective defence in view of Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine, as well as your contribution to the international anti-ISIL coalition. Canada plays a major part in our decision-making and helps keep the vital bond between Europe and North America strong.” WellsPlayHelpingActionAmericaStrongForceChallengesDecisionViewsSecurityMajorsCapableEuropeAppreciateVery GoodInternationalCurrentsCommittedRussiaShipsPlanesDiscussionContributionCanadaCollectivesDecision MakingAlliesAggressiveNational SecurityAdaptationDefenceUkraineCoalitionsNatoNorth AmericaContributorsAppreciate YouIsilQuick Decisions Author:Jens Stoltenberg
“But having made my decision as Commander-in-Chief based on what I am convinced is our national security interests, I will seek authorization for the use of force from the American people's representatives in Congress.” PeopleWorldLongMadeUseGovernmentMightForcePresidentInterestDecisionDemocracyViolenceSecurityMilitaryPolicyExampleEthicsConstitutionCongressHuman RightsConvincedChiefsForeign PolicyRootedRepresentativesNational SecurityCommandersCommander In ChiefUse Of Force Author:Barack Obama
“Lets all be reminded, 60 million Americans are on Social Security, 60 million. A third of those people depend on 90% of their income from Social Security. Nobody in this country is on Social Security because they made the decision when they were starting work at 14 that they wanted to trust some of their money with the government.” PeopleMadeCountryGovernmentWantedSocialDecisionMillionsSecurityDependsThirdsStartingIncomeSocial Security Author:Mike Huckabee
“There is always an element of realpolitik that has to be present in the conduct of any nation's national security affairs. At the same time, we have to also have a balance between realpolitik and Wilsonian principles of freedom and democracy and human rights. And maintaining that balance is the greatest challenge that we in the West, including the Federal Republic of Germany, have to face because it's many times a very difficult decision-making process.” HumansFacesNationsProcessDifficultChallengesDecisionPrinciplesDemocracyRightsSecurityBalanceElementsWestIncludingAffairHuman RightsGermanyDecision MakingRepublicNational SecurityMaintainingDifficult DecisionsDecision Making ProcessDemocracy And Human RightsRealpolitik Author:John McCain
“I think we're in a new era where the advancing tide is towards human unity, where people all around the world want to come together. The United States is in a position where it can lead the way towards that and it can do it in practical ways by affirming the power of the United Nations so that the international process makes decisions on international security.” PeopleThinkingWorldWayWantHumansStatesTogetherNationsProcessCan DoDecisionUnitedUnited StatesSecurityPositionUnityInternationalPracticalsAround The WorldErasTidesNational SecurityUnited NationsAdvancingAffirmingNew Era Author:Dennis Kucinich
“Security matters should not be entrusted to people who make decisions without weighing things up.” PeopleShouldMatterDecisionSecurityWeighing Author:Thomas de Maiziere
“This is your court and you possess the force to celebrate the trial and convict me on the basis of your lists of accusations, the public one and the secret one, and you can dictate a sentence prepared by the political and security apparatuses that are behind this trial. But I too possess a will obtained from the justice of our cause and the determination of our people to reject any decision from this 'kangaroo court'.” PeoplePoliticalForceCausesJusticeDecisionSecretBehindsSecurityDeterminationBasesCourtPreparedSentencesListsTrialsCelebrateRejectsAccusationConvictsKangaroos Author:Ahmad Sa'adat
“What the Agency [CIA] does is ordered by the President and the NSC [National Security Council]. The Agency neither makes decisions on policy nor acts on its own account. It is an instrument of the President.” DoePresidentDecisionSecurityPolicyAccountsInstrumentsAgencyNational SecurityCouncilCiaSecurity Council Author:Philip Agee
“[T]he course of this nation does not depend on the decisions of others. Whatever action is required, whenever action is necessary, I will defend the freedom and security of the American people.” PeopleDoeActionCoursesNationsDecisionSecurityDepends Author:George W. Bush
“The story of the Western world since 1945 is that, invited to choose between freedom and government 'security,' large numbers of people vote to dump freedom every time - the freedom to make your own decisions about health care, education, property rights, and a ton of other stuff.” PeopleWorldStoriesGovernmentCareStuffDecisionNumbersRightsSecurityVotePropertyWesternHealth CareInvitedLarge NumbersProperty RightsDumpWestern World Author:Mark Steyn
“The Americans made the decision out of principle to buy Russian equipment for us because our pilots and mechanics were trained on Russian aircraft. But, then, as a result of the Ukraine crisis, the US Congress imposed sanctions on Russia and the equipment could no longer be delivered to us. I am proud of our security and defense forces.” MadeForceDecisionResultsPrinciplesSecurityProudCrisisCongressDefenseRussiaPilotsEquipmentMechanicUkraineSanctionsAircraft Author:Ashraf Ghani
“Four hundred top-decision makers listed the myriad looming threats to global security, including famine, terrorism, inequality, disease, poverty and climate change. Yet when we tried to address each diverse force, we found them all attached to one universal security risk: fresh water.” FoundForceWaterDecisionPovertyFourRiskSecurityDiseaseHundredUniversalThreatClimateClimate ChangeIncludingTerrorismInequalityAddressesMakersDiverseFamineLoomingDecision MakersFresh Water Author:Margaret Catley-Carlson
“It is obvious that the performance of a stock last year or last month is no reason, per se, to either own it or to not own it now. It is obvious that an inability to "get even" in a security that has declined is of no importance. It is obvious that the inner warm glow that results from having held a winner last year is of no importance in making a decision as to whether it belongs in an optimum portfolio this year.” YearsReasonLastsDecisionResultsSecurityMonthsPerformancesImportanceObviousWarmWinnerNo ReasonLast YearInabilityPortfoliosOptimum Author:Warren Buffett
“Many people confuse authority and the power of efficiency, as if the first role of people with responsibility is to take decisions, command effectively and so exercise power. But their role first of all is to be a person to whom others can turn for help and advice, to provide security, to affirm, to support, to encourage and to guide.” PeopleIfsFirstsPersonsHelpingTurnsDecisionResponsibilityRolesSupportAdviceSecurityExerciseAuthorityGuidesCommandEfficiency Author:Jean Vanier
“I hope President [Hamid] Karzai understands that our national security interests don't depend entirely on his decision there whether to allow a recount. Obviously the legitimacy of that government is an important component of it. My point is it shouldn't be the lynch pin for us deciding whether we're going to protect our national security interests in that region.” ImportantGovernmentPresidentInterestDecisionSecurityDependsProtectRegionsNational SecurityComponentsPinsLegitimacy Author:Rahm Emanuel
“The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom's membership in Nato remains a vital cornerstone of US foreign, security and economic policy.” PeopleStatesDecisionUnitedUnited StatesEconomicSpecialSecurityPolicyRemainsEndureKingdomsNatoCornerstonesMembershipUnited KingdomEconomic PolicySpecial Relationship Author:Barack Obama
“Finally, here at home, in one of her first decisions as Secretary of State, she set up a private e-mail server in her basement in violation of our national security. Let's face the facts: Hillary Clinton cared more about protecting her own secrets than she cared about protecting America's secrets.” FirstsStatesFactsHomeAmericaFacesDecisionSecretSecurityClintonMailSecretaryNational SecurityViolationBasementsServerProtecting Her Author:Chris Christie
“I am, however, deeply saddened by this [Brexit] vote by the British electorate. But I respect their decision. What is crucial now is that we focus very precisely on what Europe can do for people: stimulate investment, create jobs and together ensure the safety and security of our citizens.” PeopleTogetherJobsCan DoDecisionFocusSecurityCitizensEuropeVoteSafetyInvestmentBritishCrucialElectorateSaddenedSafety And Security Author:Jean-Claude Juncker
“The sanctions may be imposed only by the decision of the UN Security Council. A unilateral imposition of sanctions is a violation of international law.” MayLawDecisionSecurityInternationalCouncilViolationSanctionsInternational LawImpositionSecurity Council Author:Vladimir Putin
“[Adolf] Hitler and Eva [Braun] jointly came to that decision, I think. Hitler wanted me there for security reasons and to keep Eva company, she wanted me there because we were both still very young. I was 20 years old, to live on my own would have been daunting. I wouldn't have done it and neither would she.” ThinkingYearsHas BeensStillsReasonDoneWantedYoungMy OwnDecisionCompanySecurity Author:Gretl Braun
“I think that Mr. Snowden raised some legitimate concerns. How he did it was something that did not follow the procedures and practices of our intelligence community. If everybody took the approach that I make my own decisions about these issues, then it would be very hard to have an organized government or any kind of national security system.” IfsThinkingKindHardGovernmentWould BeCommunityMy OwnDecisionPracticeIssuesSecurityApproachConcernRaisedOrganizedNational SecurityProceduresSnowdenIntelligence CommunitySecurity Systems Author:Barack Obama
“I have often said that we have two UNs; the UN that is a Secretariat, that implements the mandates handed over to it by the General Assembly and the Security Council, and the UN that is the member states who sit in the Council, take the decisions, hand over the mandates, or take decisions in the General Assembly.” SaidTwoStatesHandsDecisionSecurityMembersCouncilAssemblyMandatesSecurity CouncilGeneral Assembly Author:Kofi Annan
“I think it's very, very important that in foreign policy and national security decision making, as in any other realm, that there be a range of diversity that reflects the full complexity of America. We should draw on those experiences to inform our decision making.” ThinkingShouldImportantAmericaDecisionSecurityPolicyDiversityDrawsRangeRealmsComplexityDecision MakingForeign PolicyNational Security Author:Susan Rice
“I think that there is a particular mindset that was on display in the run-up to the Iraq war that continues to this day. Some of the folks who were involved in that decision either don't remember what they said or are entirely unapologetic about the results, but that views the Middle East as a place where force and intimidation will deliver on the security interests that we have, and that it is not possible for us to at least test the possibility of diplomacy.” ThinkingSaidWarRunningRememberForceInterestDecisionResultsViewsMiddleSecurityPossibilityParticularInvolvedTestsFolksIraqMindsetEastThis DayDisplayMiddle EastThey SaidDiplomacyIraq WarIntimidationUnapologetic Author:Barack Obama
“How you staff, particularly the chief of staff, the national security adviser, your White House counsel, how you set up a process in the system to surface information and generate options for a president, understanding that ultimately the president is going to be the final decision-maker. That's something that has to be attended to right away.” HouseProcessUnderstandingPresidentWhiteDecisionSecurityInformationFinalsSurfaceChiefsWhite HouseMakersStaffNational SecurityAdviserDecision MakersChief Of Staff Author:Barack Obama
“We have zero strategic thinking out of our White House. And we have a national security structure that has lost its way when it comes to strategic thinking and strategic decision-making.” ThinkingWayHouseLostWhiteDecisionSecurityStructureDecision MakingWhite HouseZeroNational SecurityStrategicStrategic Thinking Author:Michael T. Flynn
“I think what you're going to get from President-elect [ Donald] Trump is all of his folks together - Rex Tillerson, James Mattis, John Kelly, CIA, Homeland Security, everyone that you would want in the room, making decisions about that particular document and treaties like that document as to how we're going move forward.” ThinkingWantTogetherMovingPresidentDecisionRoomsSecurityParticularTrumpFolksMoving ForwardDocumentsCiaHomelandTreatiesMaking DecisionsHomeland Security Author:Reince Priebus
“For me, 9/11 was a game changer. It altered my perception of the security threat we faced. I took the position that Britain should be shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. It was a big decision; I didn't take it lightly, or in ignorance of its consequences. It's a big commitment for a country to give, but I believed it was the right thing to do.” GivingShouldCountryBigsGamesDecisionSecurityPositionIgnorancePerceptionCommitmentConsequenceThreatShouldersThings To DoRight ThingBritainAlteredBig DecisionsGame Changers Author:Tony Blair
“The [UN Security Council] P5 ought to be dissuaded from using their veto power, which can paralyze the United Nations. The country blocking action ought to have to explain its decision and propose an alternative solution. It has been suggested that a veto only becomes effective if the vetoing state has the support of two or three other permanent members.” IfsHas BeensTwoCountryStatesActionThreeNationsDecisionUnitedSupportSecurityOughtMembersSolutionsBlockAlternativesPermanentUnited NationsCouncilProposeVetoSecurity Council Author:Kofi Annan