What is most troubling about Mr. Putin's aggression in Crimea is that it reflects a growing disregard for America's credibility in the world. That has emboldened other aggressive actors - from Chinese nationalists to Al Qaeda terrorists and Iranian theocrats.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the concern that Russia's actions diminish America's global credibility, encouraging other aggressive nations and groups.
In this quote, John McCain expresses grave concern regarding Vladimir Putin's aggressive actions in Crimea and how such behavior symbolizes a broader trend of eroding American credibility on the world stage. He suggests that this loss of influence emboldens not only Russia but also other nations and groups with aggressive intentions, such as the Chinese nationalists, Al Qaeda, and Iranian theocrats, indicating a dangerous shift in global dynamics and a potential rise in acts of aggression worldwide.
In practice
This quote can be used in discussions about international relations at a political debate.
Giap was a master of logistics, but his reputation rests on more than that. His victories were achieved by a patient strategy that he and Ho Chi Minh were convinced would succeed - an unwavering resolve to suffer immense casualties and the near total destruction of their country to defeat any adversary, no matter how powerful.
Whenever America sends its citizens into harm's way, it must do so with eyes wide open.
For decades we have been living lives of abundance, with little regard for our natural resources or global health. But we are now facing hard choices in our energy policy. Future generations - my children and grandchildren, along with yours - will have to live with the decisions we make today. And so it is time for us to make some tough and - hopefully - smart choices regarding our energy use and production before it is too late.
We need a free press. We must have it. It's vital.
I appreciate our government's determination to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the Bytyqi brothers, which Serbia's Interior Minister has rightly called 'an exceptionally serious crime,' and hope the Serbian government's pledge of full cooperation... is matched by a final accounting of their murder.
For Mr. Putin, vacillation invites aggression. His world is a brutish, cynical place, where power is worshiped, weakness is despised, and all rivalries are zero-sum.
The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make.
All political power comes from the barrel of either guns, pussy, or opium pipes, and people seem to like it that way.
It is hard to feel individually responsible with respect to the invisible processes of a huge and distant government.
If we can deter the Soviet Union, if we can deter North Korea, why on earth can't we deter Iran?
Everybody counts in applying democracy. And there will never be a true democracy until every responsible and law-abiding adult in it, without regard to race, sex, color or creed has his or her own inalienable and unpurchasable voice in government.
In every country today, there is politics. It may be authoritarian politics, but there is politics.
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