At least from a national security standpoint, none of the problems the U.S. and U.K. face will become easier to solve if the U.K. is out of the E.U.; on the contrary, I fear that a 'Brexit' would only make our world even more dangerous and difficult to manage.
Interpretation
Brexit will exacerbate national security challenges for the U.S. and U.K.
David Petraeus emphasizes that leaving the European Union would not alleviate the security issues faced by the U.S. and the U.K.; rather, it would likely complicate these problems further. His concern is that Brexit could lead to a more perilous and unmanageable global situation, indicating the interconnectedness of political decisions and national security.
In practice
In a discussion about international policy, one might reference Petraeus's quote to highlight the risks of isolationism.
There is nothing I can do to undo what I did. I can only say again how sorry I am to those I let down and then strive to go forward with a greater sense of humility and purpose, and with gratitude to those who stood with me during a very difficult chapter in my life.
I considered our British comrades to rank with the finest men and women of any armed service in the world. And I know that my fellow American soldiers - and those of the other coalition countries under my command - valued very highly the professional expertise, capability, courage, and determination of our British partners on the battlefield.
In the 101st Airborne Division headquarters in Mosul, we had a sign on the wall. It was a question that we would ask ourselves before every new operation or policy initiative. It asked: Will this policy or operation take more bad guys off the streets than it creates by its conduct?
The idea is to go to bed every night with fewer enemies than you had in the morning.
We periodically note that there are no silver bullets, there are no magic formulas, there's no single action or component of the overall... comprehensive civil-military approach.
When Western politicians propose blanket discrimination against Islam, they bolster the terrorists' propaganda.
I think maybe the people in elected positions are more interested in preserving their jobs than in doing the best job possible.
The soviet people want full-blooded and unconditional democracy.
All governments are run by liars and nothing they say should be believed.
Money powers prey upon the nation in times of peace & conspire against it in times of adversity.
When giant companies wanted more tax loopholes, Washington got it done. When huge energy companies wanted to tear up our environment, Washington got it done. When enormous Wall Street banks wanted new regulatory loopholes, Washington got it done. No gridlock there!
I have ever been opposed to banks, - opposed to internal improvements by the general government, - opposed to distribution of public lands among the states, - opposed to taking the power from the hands of the people, - opposed to special monopolies, - opposed to a protective tariff, - opposed to a latitudinal construction of the constitution, - opposed to slavery agitation and disunion. This is my democracy. Point to a single act of my public career not in keeping with these principles.
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