There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
There are many terrorist states in the world, but the United States is unusual in that it is officially committed to international terrorism.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Chomsky critiques the United States' role in global violence and terrorism.
In this quote, Noam Chomsky suggests that while many nations engage in acts that can be classified as terrorism, the United States stands out because it not only partakes in such actions but also aligns its foreign policy in a way that supports these actions. This statement challenges the perception of the U.S. as a promoter of peace and democracy, highlighting the contradiction between its self-image and its interventionist practices on the international stage.
Themes
TerrorismPoliticsU.S.ChomskyInternationalViolence
In practice
Example use cases
In a political debate about military intervention, this quote can illustrate the hypocrisy in foreign policy.
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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.
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