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Countries that perceive themselves to be vulnerable can be expected to try to redress that vulnerability - and in some cases, they will pursue clandestine weapons programs.
Mohamed Elbaradei
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Countries feeling vulnerable may resort to secretive measures to enhance their security, including weapons development.

This quote by Mohamed Elbaradei highlights the psychological impact of perceived vulnerability on nations. When countries believe they are at risk, they may take extreme measures to secure themselves, sometimes leading to clandestine activities such as the development of weapons programs, which can further destabilize global peace and security.

Themes

VulnerabilityWeaponsSecurityNationsPsychology

In practice

Example use cases

During a conference on international relations, this quote can be used to discuss the strategies nations adopt in response to perceived threats.

More from Mohamed Elbaradei

It would be, in fact, very ominous if Iraq were to be able to get weapon-usable material, hydro-plutonium or highly enriched uranium from abroad.
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Egypt needs to catch up with the rest of the world. We need to be free, democratic, and - society where people have the right to live in freedom and dignity.
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I couldn't have imagined that I would live long enough to see Egypt emancipated from decades of repression.
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Psychology is as important as substance. If you treat people with respect, they will go out of their way to accommodate you. If you treat them in a patronizing way, they will go out of their way to make your life difficult.
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The gravest threat faced by the world is of an extremist group getting hold of nuclear weapons or materials.
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Challenging the integrity of the non-proliferation regime is a matter which can affect international peace and security.
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