Airline Quote by Dick Cheney
“The greatest threat now is a 9/11 occurring with a group of terrorists armed not with airline tickets and box cutters, but with a nuclear weapon in the middle of one of our own cities...there's a high probability of such an attempt.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public remarks, 2003, United States Senate hearing
The warning highlights the heightened danger of terrorist groups acquiring nuclear weapons and targeting domestic urban centers, emphasizing unprecedented catastrophic risk.
In simple terms: Terrorists could use nuclear bombs in cities, creating massive danger.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize nuclear security and emergency preparedness.
Themes
terrorism
nuclear security
urban safety
Mood
anxious
serious
Type
warning
policy
When to use this quote
- government planning
- public safety drills
- international intelligence cooperation
Key Concepts
deterrence
risk assessment
policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance vigilance with avoiding fear?
- What policies best reduce nuclear terrorism risk?
A Different Perspective
Such threats may be speculative and could cause public panic if overstated.
![“[In response to the question "Do you think that you underestimated the insurgency's strength?"] I think so. I guess if I look back on it now, I don't think anybody anticipated the level of violence that we've encountered.” quote by Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/381/dick-cheney-1810_ifs_in-response-to-the-question-do-you-think_74078.jpg)
