Eagles rarely fail to catch their prey. They usually kill it quickly by breaking its neck with their powerful claws. – Stephen Kinzer
There is very little hope that the United States or anyone else can do much to stabilize Iraq, Libya, Syria or Egypt. Stabilizing Iran, and bringing it back into the family of nations, is much more possible. That would be a ‘win’ for both sides. – Stephen Kinzer
One October day in 1976, a Cuban airliner exploded over the Caribbean and crashed, killing all 73 people aboard. There should have been 74. I had a ticket on that flight, but changed my reservation at the last moment and flew to Havana on an earlier plane. – Stephen Kinzer
The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers created the ‘Fertile Crescent’ where some of the first civilizations emerged. Today they are immensely important resources, politically as well as geographically. – Stephen Kinzer
During the Cold War, America took sides not only in disputes between Arab countries, but also in debates within them. – Stephen Kinzer
It is truly vital for the United States to assure that it is not attacked with weapons of mass destruction; to prevent wars in other countries from spreading onto American soil; and to maintain access to global sea lanes on which our economy depends. Beyond that, there is little or nothing in the world that should draw the United States to war. – Stephen Kinzer
The history of Chechnya is one of imperialism gone terribly wrong. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Chechens were among the few peoples to fend off Mongol conquerors, but at a terrible cost. Turks, Persians, and Russians sought to seize Chechnya, and it was finally absorbed into the Russian Empire in 1859. – Stephen Kinzer
‘Operation Ajax’ presents history in an entirely new way. It takes a true story and uses cutting-edge technology, never before used in this way, to bring it to spectacular life. – Stephen Kinzer
Pakistan is not about to crack down on terror groups or cut its military budget in order to build roads, schools and hospitals. – Stephen Kinzer
Honduras is strongly anti-Communist, maintains no diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, and has provided vital support for United States-backed rebels fighting to overthrow the Sandinistas in neighboring Nicaragua. – Stephen Kinzer
Chechens are Muslim, and some share the belief that the West is engaged in a global campaign against Islam. – Stephen Kinzer
A decision by Germany’s highest court that banned the display of crosses or crucifixes in classrooms has sparked widespread outrage and protest. – Stephen Kinzer
Land ownership in Guatemala is more unequal than anywhere else in Latin America. Roughly 90 percent of Guatemalan farms are too small to support a family. A tiny group of Guatemalans owns a third of the country’s arable land; more than 300,000 landless peasants must scrounge a living as best they can. – Stephen Kinzer
Iran’s most formidable modern leader, Reza Shah Pahlavi, was obsessed with the idea of building a steel mill, but in 1941, soon after he assembled all the components, Allied armies invaded Iran, and the project had to be abandoned. – Stephen Kinzer
The reason that Americans have not been able to see the great strategic benefit that could accrue from a closer relationship with Iran is emotion. – Stephen Kinzer
As British and French imperialism ebbed following the end of the Second World War, America became the main outside player in Arab affairs. – Stephen Kinzer
Guerrilla leaders win wars by being paranoid and ruthless. Once they take power, they are expected to abandon those qualities and embrace opposite ones: tolerance, compromise and humility. Almost none manages to do so. – Stephen Kinzer
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has denounced negotiation with Iran as a ‘historic mistake’ that is making the world ‘a more dangerous place.’ His partners in Washington vigorously echo that view. – Stephen Kinzer
New media and mobile entertainment are revolutionizing the way people learn about the world. – Stephen Kinzer
The withdrawal of more than half a million Russian troops and dependents from Germany since 1991 is described by historians as ‘the biggest pullout ever by an army not defeated in battle.’ – Stephen Kinzer
No one will ever be able to say what the comandantes would have done with their historic opportunity in Nicaragua if they had not been confronted with civil war. – Stephen Kinzer
During the 19th century, Iranians lost vast territories in disastrous wars, and corrupt monarchs sold everything of value in the country to foreigners. – Stephen Kinzer
Conflict with the United States is one of the overwhelming facts of Latin American history. – Stephen Kinzer
In 1984, showing extraordinary courage, a group of Guatemalan wives, mothers and other relatives of disappeared people banded together to form the Mutual Support Group for the Appearance Alive of Our Relatives. – Stephen Kinzer
The difficulty that many foreign authors face in having their works translated into English has effects far beyond the United States. – Stephen Kinzer
No authoritarian leader cedes power easily or turns it over to bodies he cannot control. – Stephen Kinzer