“The moment we engage in confederations, or alliances with any nation we may from that time date the downfall of our republic.”
—ANDREW JACKSON
“We Americans have no commission from God to police the world.”
—BENJAMIN HARRISON
“If the League of Nations means that we will have to go to war every time a Jugoslav wishes to slap a Czechoslav in the face, then I won’t follow them.”
—THEODORE ROOSEVELT
“If any South American country misbehaves toward any European country, let the European country spank it.”
—THEODORE ROOSEVELT
“I never take a step in foreign policy unless I am assured that I shall be able eventually to carry out my will by force.”
—THEODORE ROOSEVELT
“When I was a boy, we didn’t wake up with Vietnam and have Cyprus for lunch and the Congo for dinner.”
—LYNDON B. JOHNSON
“[N]o one cares about foreign policy other than about six journalists.”
—BILL CLINTON