There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Even in the 1950s, President Eisenhower was concerned about what he called a campaign of hatred of the U.S. in the Arab world, because of the perception on the Arab street that it supported harsh and oppressive regimes to take their oil.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects concerns about the U.S. foreign policy and its impact on perceptions in the Arab world.
Noam Chomsky highlights President Eisenhower's awareness of the negative perception of the United States in the Arab world during the 1950s, primarily stemming from America's support of oppressive regimes that prioritized oil interests over the welfare of the local populations. This insight underscores the complex interplay between geopolitics and public sentiment, illustrating how foreign policies can lead to widespread feelings of animosity and hatred.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on foreign policy, this quote can be used to illustrate the unintended consequences of U.S. actions abroad.
More from Noam Chomsky
All quotes →The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
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.
Similar quotes
Here I am in the state of New Mexico. George Bush is still in the state of denial. New Mexico has five electoral votes. The state of denial has none. I like my chances.
America's government is not even aware of the gap between its commitments and action, because almost nobody in authority understands the actions that would be needed to meet the commitments.
Israel was born under the British mandate. We learned from the British what democracy means, and how it behaves in a time of danger, war and terror. We thank Britain for introducing freedom and respect of human rights both in normal and demanding circumstances.
Five decades ago, as India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, began visibly ailing, the nation and the world were consumed by the question: 'After Nehru, who?' The inexpressible fear lay in the subtext to the question: 'After Nehru, what?'
We still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry and grasping at the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised to furnish new pretenses for revenue and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without a tribute.
There is no more dangerous thing for a democracy than a foreign policy based on presidential preventive war.