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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In the late 1990s, some of the worst terrorist atrocities in the world were what the Turkish government itself called state terror, namely massive atrocities, 80 percent of the arms coming from the United States, millions of refugees, tens of thousands of people killed, hideous repression, that's international terror, and we can go on and on.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses the concept of state-sponsored violence and its implications on international relations.
In this quote, Noam Chomsky highlights the complexities and contradictions of international terrorism by pointing out that some of the most brutal acts of violence are perpetrated by governments themselves, often with support from other nations. He underscores the hypocrisy in labeling certain acts as 'terror' while ignoring the systematic oppression and atrocities committed by states, particularly referencing the Turkish government's actions and the role of external arms support. It calls into question the narratives around terrorism and the moral responsibilities of nations involved.
Themes
State TerrorAtrocitiesInternational RelationsViolenceGovernment
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on human rights, you can use this quote to illustrate the paradox of state violence.
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