There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
I don't see any possibility of Britain and the U.S. allowing a sovereign independent Iraq; that's almost inconceivable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests skepticism about the likelihood of Iraq becoming a truly independent nation under the influence of Britain and the U.S.
Noam Chomsky expresses a belief that the political powers of Britain and the United States are unlikely to permit Iraq to operate as a fully sovereign nation. This assertion reflects his view on the challenges of imperial influence and the reality of geopolitical interests, indicating that true independence for Iraq is perceived as an unrealistic goal given the historical context of foreign intervention.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a panel discussion on international relations, one might reference this quote to highlight the challenges faced by nations seeking autonomy.
More from Noam Chomsky
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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.
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The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.
Look, I worked with American Republican presidents and Democratic presidents, all of them, and each of them has shown a deep and profound friendship to Israel, you know? I can't remember anybody who was in that sense negative as far as Israel is concerned.
The [Israelis] believed - they were possessed of an absolute certainty and conviction - that 'terrorists' were in Chatila. How could I explain to them that the terrorists had left, that the terrorists had worn Israeli uniforms, that the terrorists had been sent into Chatila by Israeli officers, that the victims of the terrorists were not Israelis but Palestinians and Lebanese?
Politics - I don't know why, but they seem to have a tendency to separate us, to keep us from one another, while nature is always and ever making efforts to bring us together.
A president cannot meaningfully honor certain token artists while the people at large are so dishonored.'β
Why is it that right-wing bastards always stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity, while liberals fall out among themselves?