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The good news from the U.S. military survey of focus groups is that Iraqis do accept the Nuremberg principles. They understand that sectarian violence and the other postwar horrors are contained within the supreme international crime committed by the invaders.
Noam Chomsky
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights Iraqis' understanding of their situation in relation to international law and the consequences of occupation.

Noam Chomsky's quote reflects on the Iraqi people's acceptance of the Nuremberg principles, indicating their awareness of the injustices inflicted upon them by invaders. It suggests that they recognize the postwar sectarian violence as a direct result of the supreme international crimes committed through the act of invasion, tying their suffering to broader concepts of justice and accountability.

Themes

IraqNuremberg PrinciplesInternational LawOccupationViolenceJustice

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion on international law and war ethics, this quote can be used to illustrate the implications of military interventions.

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