QuoteProject
In Kosovo, the U.S. has chosen a course of action that escalates atrocities and violence. It is also a course of action that strikes a blow against the regime of international order, but which offers the weak at least some protection from predatory states.
Noam Chomsky
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote criticizes U.S. actions in Kosovo, highlighting their negative impact on global order while providing some level of protection to vulnerable states.

Noam Chomsky's quote addresses the complex dynamics of the U.S. intervention in Kosovo, suggesting that while the actions may escalate violence and undermine international order, they also serve as a form of protection for weaker nations against more aggressive states. This paradox illustrates the tensions between the pursuit of geopolitical goals and the moral implications of military interventions.

Themes

KosovoUs InterventionViolenceInternational OrderProtectionPredatory States

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about the U.S. military presence overseas, this quote could highlight the unintended consequences of intervention.

More from Noam Chomsky

There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
Noam ChomskyRead
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
Noam ChomskyRead
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.
Noam ChomskyRead
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
Noam ChomskyRead
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.
Noam ChomskyRead

Similar quotes

Democracies have been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their death.
James MadisonRead
One of the traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism has been by way of medicine....If you don't do this, one of these days you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was like in American when men were free.
Ronald ReaganRead
As someone who worked hard for a Labour victory in the 90s, do I regret it? Not really. It was bound to happen. And it'll happen with the next government, and the one after it. Because all governments serve us. They serve the filth.
Stephen FryRead
Afghanistan's borders are arbitrary, drawn to meet 19th-century political needs rather than to respect ethnic or religious patterns.
Stephen KinzerRead
People who have no respect for human life or for freedom or justice have taken over this beautiful country of ours. It will be up to the American people to take it back.
Howard ZinnRead
This government has been informed that a Jewish state has been proclaimed in Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the provisional government thereof. The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the new State of Israel.
Harry S. TrumanRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.