Regret what? That secret operation was an excellent idea. It had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap and you want me to regret it? The day that the Soviets officially crossed the border, I wrote to President Carter. We now have the opportunity of giving to the USSR its Vietnam war. Indeed, for almost 10 years, Moscow had to carry on a war unsupportable by the government, a conflict that brought about the demoralization and finally the breakup of the Soviet empire.
There may be circumstances in which damaging our relationship with countries over human rights is counterproductive and the benefits to human rights may be very small because of our limited capacity to enforce our stance. That was the dilemma the United States faced after Tiananmen Square.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the complexity of foreign relations where prioritization of human rights can sometimes lead to counterproductive outcomes.
Zbigniew Brzezinski highlights the intricate balance that must be maintained in foreign policy, particularly regarding human rights issues. He points out that while advocating for human rights is important, there are instances where taking a strong stance could harm diplomatic relations, and the actual improvements in human rights may be minimal due to the limitations of enforcement capabilities. This presents a challenging dilemma for nations like the United States, especially in the context of significant historical events such as the aftermath of Tiananmen Square.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the ethical implications of foreign policy, this quote can express the complexities involved.
More from Zbigniew Brzezinski
All quotes →During the twentieth century, men fought on behalf of nationalism. Yet the wars they fought were also engendered by dislocations in world markets and by social revolution stimulated by the coming of the industrial age.
Constant reference to a 'war on terror' did accomplish one major objective: It stimulated the emergence of a culture of fear.
Iraq may have been a preview of that, but it's still redeemable if we get out fast. In a war with Iran, we'll get dragged down for 20 or 30 years. The world will condemn us. We will lose our position in the world.
The congressional role in declaring war is especially important not when the United States is the victim of an attack, but when the United States is planning to wage war abroad.
War on terrorism defines the central preoccupation of the United States in the world today, and it does reflect in my view a rather narrow and extremist vision of foreign policy of the world's first superpower, of a great democracy, with genuinely idealistic traditions.
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