"The job of a good ally is not to save anybody but rather to help create the conditions under which people can assert and grow their own power."

Previous Quote

During Richard Nixon’s first term, when I served as secretary of defense, we withdrew U.S. forces from Vietnam while building up the South’s ability to defend itself. The result was a success - until Congress snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by cutting off funding for our ally in 1975. Washington should follow a similar strategy now, but this time finish the job properly.

— Melvin Laird