We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we’ve set. We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded.

In his statement, Barack Obama highlights the importance of a robust civilian component within national security alongside military capabilities. He emphasizes that relying solely on armed forces to safeguard national interests is no longer sufficient and calls for an equally powerful and well-funded civilian arm to complement defense efforts.

The deeper meaning behind this quote suggests a reevaluation of traditional approaches to national security, acknowledging the complexity and multifaceted nature of modern threats. Obama’s assertion underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that integrate military power with non-military tools such as diplomacy, economic sanctions, cybersecurity, and international cooperation. This holistic approach recognizes that certain challenges, like cyber warfare or climate change, require civilian expertise alongside military might to address effectively.

The quote is attributed to Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States who served from 2009 to 2017. Known for his emphasis on diplomacy and multilateralism, Obama frequently highlighted the importance of a balanced approach to national security that includes strong civilian capacities alongside military strength.

" We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we’ve set. We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded. " - Barack Obama

" We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we’ve set. We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded. "
- Barack Obama