There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Iran has little capacity to deploy force. Its strategic doctrines are defensive, designed to deter invasion long enough for diplomacy to set it.
Interpretation
Chomsky highlights Iran's limited military capabilities and its reliance on diplomacy over aggression.
In this quote, Noam Chomsky emphasizes that Iran does not possess significant military power and, therefore, focuses on defensive strategies. These strategies are intended to delay potential invasions to create opportunities for diplomatic resolutions, suggesting a preference for negotiation rather than confrontation.
In practice
In a discussion about international relations, one might say, 'Iran has little capacity to deploy force. Its strategic doctrines are defensive, designed to deter invasion long enough for diplomacy to set it.'
There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
The essential self is innocent, and when it tastes its own innocence knows that it lives for ever.
I believe that what so saddens the reformer is not his sympathy with his fellows in distress, but, though he be the holiest son of God, is his private ail. Let this be righted, let the spring come to him, the morning rise over his couch, and he will forsake his generous companions without apology.
It is often said that definitions of Islamic government are imprecise. To me, however, they seemed to have a clarity that was completely familiar and also, it must be said, far from reassuring.
I do earnestly wish to see the distinction of sex confounded in society, unless where love animates the behaviour.
Death is staring too long into the burning sun and the relief of entering a cool, dark room.
This planet has β or rather had β a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much all of the time.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.