Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same.
Condoleezza RiceRead
This is not 1968 and the invasion of Czechoslovakia, where Russia can threaten its neighbors, occupy a capital, overthrow a government, and get away with it. Things have changed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the changed geopolitical landscape and the diminishing tolerance for aggressive actions by powerful nations.
In this quote, Condoleezza Rice emphasizes that the international response to acts of aggression, such as Russia's actions in Czechoslovakia in 1968, has evolved over time. She suggests that current geopolitical realities do not allow for such unchecked invasions and that the world is now more vigilant and interconnected, making it difficult for any nation to act without facing consequences.
Themes
GeopoliticsAggressionChangeInternational RelationsHistory
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about current global politics, one could quote this to illustrate the importance of historical context.
More from Condoleezza Rice
All quotes βI think my father thought I might be president of the United States. I think he would've been satisfied with secretary of state. I'm a foreign policy person and to have a chance to serve my country as the nation's chief diplomat at a time of peril and consequence, that was enough.
Condoleezza RiceRead
What the United States has done is to be open to people who are fleeing tyranny, who are fleeing danger, but we have done it in a very careful way that has worked for us.
Condoleezza RiceRead
For the United States, supporting international development is more than just an expression of our compassion. It is a vital investment in the free, prosperous, and peaceful international order that fundamentally serves our national interest.
Condoleezza RiceRead
Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same. If you are too attentive to the former, you will most certainly not do the hard work of securing the latter.
Condoleezza RiceRead
Does anybody think these people were just sitting around drinking tea?
Condoleezza RiceRead
Similar quotes
There are still people in my party who believe in consensus politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors... I mean it.
Margaret ThatcherRead
There is an important sense in which government is distinctive from administration. One is perpetual, the other is temporary and changeable. A man may be loyal to his government and yet oppose the particular principles and methods of administration.
Abraham LincolnRead
All of the American's foreign wars have been fought with foes either too weak to resist them or too heavily engaged elsewhere to make more than a half-hearted attempt. The combats with Mexico and Spain were not wars; they were simply lynchings.
H. L. MenckenRead
Hong Kong was promised democracy under the framework known as 'one country, two systems,' and China is ignoring this promise. The international community should be more attuned to this. It matters.
Joshua WongRead
I think the 24-hour news cycle has helped exaggerate the differences between the parties. You can always find someone on TV somewhere carping about something. That didn't happen 20 years ago.
George H. W. BushRead
I believe that Brazil was prepared to elect a woman. Why? Because Brazilian women achieved that. I didn't come here by myself, by my own merits. We are a majority here in this country.
Dilma RousseffRead