[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fvbgbqUs4oSbEPYLlGzUTL3dQ_cT3rmJtbk3-e3_Bs5g":3,"$f1M_yRDIlKcbJAhyAaM1YgGtRnBTbqGmpYldLZIgBwqk":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},194445,"Edward Walker","E",18,null,"edward-walker",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":128},[14,27,38,49,60,72,84,95,106,117],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},2710312,"general tension in the region and the feeling that there was a requirement or a need for a new review of the security situation in general in Yemen.",4,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},5687054,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},1062,"feeling",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":9},2710306,"Don't buy a $300 sofa and think it will last for years, ... Go ahead and buy the more expensive one, and down the road you can have it reupholstered. I'm getting ready to reupholster my sofa, which I've had for more than 12 years.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33],{"id":34,"tag":35},5687050,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},4909,"ahead",{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":9},2710300,"It's expected that you reward your own. It goes down to the tribal base of these societies. You don't have a sense of nationalism.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[44],{"id":45,"tag":46},5687046,{"id":47,"tag_name":48},51007,"base",{"id":50,"quote_text":51,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":52,"source":53,"quote_tag":54,"commentary":9},2710293,"This is something that's been leaning in this direction for some time, and the mosque incident has accelerated the process. What we're talking about is people looking out for their own. I don't think it can be turned around.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[55],{"id":56,"tag":57},5687038,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},3305,"direction",{"id":61,"quote_text":62,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":63,"source":64,"quote_tag":65,"commentary":71},2710282,"Ruling parties don't give up power voluntarily. They have to be defeated at the polls, and they have to be defeated by a better organized, more charismatic leader, a better campaign and even better shady tactics -- whatever it takes.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[66],{"id":67,"tag":68},5687029,{"id":69,"tag_name":70},15085,"campaign","**The Backstory**\nThis quote is attributed to Edward Walker, an American diplomat and historian, likely from his writings or interviews during the mid-20th century. Walker's perspective is informed by his experience navigating the complexities of international relations and the inner workings of power dynamics. As a historian, Walker is well-versed in the tactics employed by ruling parties to maintain control.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat Walker reveals is that the notion of a peaceful transfer of power is a myth. In reality, those in power will stop at nothing to maintain their grip on authority, even if it means resorting to underhanded tactics. This quote highlights the inherent tension between the ideal of democratic governance and the brutal realities of power politics.\n\n**How to Use This**\nFor modern professionals and creatives, this quote serves as a reminder that true progress often requires a willingness to challenge the status quo and employ innovative, even unconventional, strategies to outmaneuver entrenched interests. By acknowledging the often-shady nature of power dynamics, one can better anticipate and prepare for the challenges that come with seeking change.",{"id":73,"quote_text":74,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":75,"source":76,"quote_tag":77,"commentary":83},2710276,"a training ground for democracy in which the candidates ... actually had to campaign, to get out the vote. These are all skills that Egypt doesn't have in large measures, and they are going to be critical if a real opposition will develop.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[78],{"id":79,"tag":80},5687020,{"id":81,"tag_name":82},123672,"candidates","**The Backstory**\nEdward Walker, a seasoned diplomat and expert on the Middle East, uttered these words in a context of great turmoil. It was the early 2010s, and the Arab Spring was in full swing, with Egypt undergoing a transformative period of political upheaval. Walker, a veteran of US foreign policy, was likely reflecting on the challenges of building a democratic system in a region where authoritarianism had long been the norm.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nAt first glance, Walker's statement seems like a straightforward assessment of the skills required for democratic opposition. However, upon closer inspection, the quote reveals a profound insight into the nature of democratic development. Walker is highlighting the paradox that true democracy requires not just the absence of authoritarianism, but also the presence of a robust civil society, with citizens possessing the skills and agency to participate in the political process.\n\n**How to Use This**\nIn today's professional and creative endeavors, we can apply Walker's insight by recognizing that building a strong foundation requires more than just technical expertise. To truly succeed, we must cultivate the soft skills of persuasion, mobilization, and community engagement, just as Walker's quote suggests. By focusing on developing these essential competencies, we can create a more sustainable and resilient framework for our work, one that is better equipped to navigate the complexities and uncertainties of our rapidly changing world.",{"id":85,"quote_text":86,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":87,"source":88,"quote_tag":89,"commentary":9},2710273,"To me, lighting really sets the mood for a room, ... A 40 watt bulb in a cheap lamp is the same as a 40 watt bulb in an expensive one.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[90],{"id":91,"tag":92},5687018,{"id":93,"tag_name":94},62532,"bulb",{"id":96,"quote_text":97,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":98,"source":99,"quote_tag":100,"commentary":9},2710266,"We had a great amount of cooperation with the Jordanians on the intelligence side, and with the Turks as well, so we were getting value out of the relationship,",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[101],{"id":102,"tag":103},5687011,{"id":104,"tag_name":105},4175,"amount",{"id":107,"quote_text":108,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":109,"source":110,"quote_tag":111,"commentary":9},2710260,"There has been a lot of movement of people of one sect or another into certain branches of the military or the police. We've tried, but it's hard to integrate them. But I don't see that there's any mood to integrate at this point.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[112],{"id":113,"tag":114},5687004,{"id":115,"tag_name":116},14582,"branches",{"id":118,"quote_text":119,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":120,"source":121,"quote_tag":122,"commentary":9},2710242,"The real story is how the Palestinians will handle this,",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[123],{"id":124,"tag":125},5686988,{"id":126,"tag_name":127},15353,"handle",{"currentPage":129,"totalPages":130,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":131},1,2,10]