Throughout my career, I had the great fortune to experience firsthand as well as to witness what it means to be a CIA officer. John O. Brennan careerciaexperience Change image and share on social
If a person is a U.S. citizen, and he is on the battlefield in Afghanistan or Iraq trying to attack our troops, he will face the full brunt of the U.S. military response. John O. Brennan afghanistanattackbattlefield Change image and share on social
Yes, war is hell. It is awful. It involves human beings killing other human beings, sometimes innocent civilians. That is why we despise war. John O. Brennan awfulbeingcivilian Change image and share on social
A lot of things look good on an academic's blackboard in terms of the actions that need to be taken. It's almost like a football coach, when you draw the X's and O's: Every play that is chalked on that board goes for a touchdown. Well, there are a lot of yards to be made between the line of scrimmage and the touchdown. John O. Brennan academicactionblackboard share on social
I want to be very clear: whenever it is possible to capture a suspected terrorist, it is the unqualified preference of the administration to take custody of that individual so we can obtain information that is vital to the safety and security of the American people. John O. Brennan administrationamericancapture share on social
We're trying to be very careful and precise in our use of language, because I think the language we use and the images we project really do have resonance. It's the reason why I don't use the term jihadist to refer to terrorists. It gives them the religious legitimacy they so desperately seek, but I ain't gonna give it to them. John O. Brennan carefuldesperatelygive share on social
Our counterterrorism tools do not exist in a vacuum. They are stronger and more sustainable when the American people understand and support them. They are weaker and less sustainable when the American people do not. John O. Brennan americancounterterrorismexist share on social
I will not, nor will I ever, publicly divulge sensitive intelligence sources and methods. For when that happens, our national security is endangered and lives can be lost. John O. Brennan divulgeendangerintelligence Change image and share on social
Poverty does not cause violence and terrorism. Lack of education does not cause terrorism. John O. Brennan educationlackpoverty Change image and share on social
As we've seen, deploying large armies abroad won't always be our best offense. Countries typically don't want foreign soldiers in their cities and towns. John O. Brennan abroadarmycity Change image and share on social