The warning message we sent the Russians was a calculated ambiguity that would be clearly understood.
Alexander HaigYou have to look at the history of the Middle East in particular. It has been one of failure and frustration, of feudalism and tribalism.
Alexander HaigWe didn't do anything wrong, but among the lessons learned, given the magnitude of the problems we now face in Afghanistan, a major U.S. force on the ground would convince the world we were in for the long-haul recovery of a country devastated by 21 years of warfare.
Alexander Haig