Stephen Kinzer

Author

149 Quotes

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.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Latin America moved decisively away from military rule and toward civilian democracy.

More than half of Guatemalans are pureblooded Indians, descendants of the proud Maya-Quiche tribes. In their mist-shrouded villages, the Indians worship the corn god and the rain god, only vaguely concerned with the political entity known as Guatemala.

During the 1980s, international interest in the Nicaraguan war was intense. No conflict since the Spanish civil war had provoked such passion around the world. It was a classic good-versus-evil war.

With the exception of China, and perhaps Turkey, no country in the world matters as much to the United States as Mexico.

Sultan Mehmet had good relations with the Medici family and other powerful Italian clans, especially in Venice and Florence, and at his request, they sent him artists and craftsmen by the dozen.

Western powers remain imprisoned by the idea that the world is a dangerous place, that it needs to be managed, and that they are called upon to do the managing.

It is never wise to discourage youthful idealism.

Every nation, like every individual, would like to believe it owes 'no apology' to anyone. Adults realise, however, that few among us are purely innocent or utterly blameless.

As British and French imperialism ebbed following the end of the Second World War, America became the main outside player in Arab affairs.

Was Castro sincere when, during his guerrilla war, he swore that he was not a Communist? If so, when did he change, and why? Looking back, does he believe he might have chosen a better course?

Alliances and partnerships produce stability when they reflect realities and interests.

No authoritarian leader cedes power easily or turns it over to bodies he cannot control.

To frustrated Americans who have begun boycotting BP: Welcome to the club. It's great not to be the only member any more!

If women are being oppressed in Egypt or children are being forced to join armies in the Congo, for example, it is not only acceptable but wonderful for Americans to be concerned, outraged, and active.

As long as Iran believes that its security will be increased by having a nuclear program, it's going to pursue its program.

'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.

Many troubled Midwestern towns are grasping for ways to fend off decline and, in some cases, extinction.

Conflict with the United States is one of the overwhelming facts of Latin American history.

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.

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