81 Quotes by Jack Keane

Russia, their number one client in the Middle East is Syria; that is their foothold in the Middle East. They want to have influence there.

The fact that we walked away from the Middle East, as distasteful as it was for us to stay involved and prevent wars, based on our long involvement there, we have helped to create and provide a foundation. Obviously for ISIS and also for the absolute barbarianism and human catastrophe that Assad impacted on his people.

Yes, we need a force to continue to train, assist, advise the Iraqi army.

The success of ISIS is largely tied to the safe haven it has in Syria.

ISIS is at war with America, but America is not at war with ISIS - not the president, nor the Congress, and certainly not the American people.

I'm not in a position to go back into public service.

We have a sufficient political class, and the military doesn't have to get involved in high national office. The days of doing that, post-Civil War and post-World War II, are gone.

In the early 2009, a campaign plan developed by Petraeus and General McChrystal to defeat the Taliban, they required a minimum force of 40,000. President Obama rejected that recommendation and provided 25 percent less. He also decided he would pull the force out in 12 to 15 months.

In 2011, General Alston, four-star commander in Iraq, recommended to the President, a force level of over 20,000. The President rejected it and pulled out all the forces with what is now known as a disastrous consequence in Syria.