Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same.
Condoleezza RiceRead
The problem here is that there will always be some uncertainty about how quickly Saddam can acquire nuclear weapons. But we don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the danger of uncertain threats, particularly regarding nuclear weapons.
Condoleezza Rice's quote highlights the grave concern of the potential threat posed by Saddam Hussein's pursuit of nuclear weapons. It underscores the importance of preemptive measures against uncertain dangers, as waiting until a nuclear attack occurs—symbolized by the 'smoking gun' being a 'mushroom cloud'—could have catastrophic consequences.
Themes
NuclearUncertaintyThreatPreventionSaddamSecurity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a political debate about national security.
More from Condoleezza Rice
All quotes →I think my father thought I might be president of the United States. I think he would've been satisfied with secretary of state. I'm a foreign policy person and to have a chance to serve my country as the nation's chief diplomat at a time of peril and consequence, that was enough.
Condoleezza RiceRead
What the United States has done is to be open to people who are fleeing tyranny, who are fleeing danger, but we have done it in a very careful way that has worked for us.
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For the United States, supporting international development is more than just an expression of our compassion. It is a vital investment in the free, prosperous, and peaceful international order that fundamentally serves our national interest.
Condoleezza RiceRead
Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same. If you are too attentive to the former, you will most certainly not do the hard work of securing the latter.
Condoleezza RiceRead
Does anybody think these people were just sitting around drinking tea?
Condoleezza RiceRead
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