There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
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Over the years, there have been a series of concepts developed to justify the use of force in international affairs for a long period. It was possible to justify it on the pretext, which usually turned out to have very little substance, that the U.S. was defending itself against the communist menace. By the 1980s, that was wearing pretty thin.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the justifications for U.S. military actions during the Cold War, particularly the narrative of self-defense against communism that became increasingly unconvincing over time.
Noam Chomsky reflects on how various concepts were created to rationalize the use of military force in international relations, particularly by the United States during the Cold War. He points out that although these justifications were initially framed as necessary defenses against perceived threats like communism, by the 1980s, the rationale began to lose its credibility, highlighting the complexities and often dubious nature of political justifications for war.
Themes
ForceJustificationInternationalAffairsSelf-DefenseWarPoliticsCommunism
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about military intervention, this quote can be used to challenge the validity of justifications provided by leaders.
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