There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Occupying armies have responsibilities, not rights. Their primary responsibility is to withdraw as quickly and expeditiously as possible, in a manner determined by the occupied population.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Occupying forces must prioritize their duty to leave, respecting the wishes of the local population.
Noam Chomsky emphasizes that an occupying army has a moral obligation to withdraw from the territory it occupies swiftly and according to the preferences of the local people. This statement highlights the ethical responsibilities of military forces versus any perceived rights they may claim in a foreign land, advocating for respect and autonomy of the occupied.
Themes
OccupationResponsibilityEthicsMilitaryWithdrawal
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing military ethics, one might invoke this quote to underline the importance of rapid withdrawal from occupied territories.
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