Bombs Quote by E. B. White
“The H-bomb rather favors small nations that doesn't as yet possess it; they feel slightly more free to jostle other nations, having discovered that a country can stick its tongue out quite far these days without provoking war, so horrible are war's consequences.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1950s
Small states without nuclear weapons may act more boldly, believing they can provoke less severe retaliation.
In simple terms: Smaller nations might feel freer without nukes.
Key Takeaway
Consider the risks of nuclear imbalance.
Themes
power
nuclear deterrence
geopolitics
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- diplomacy
- military planning
- international relations
Key Concepts
realism
strategic instability
Questions to Reflect On
- How does nuclear asymmetry affect global stability?
- What alternatives exist to prevent aggression?
A Different Perspective
Nuclear capability can both deter and embolden actions.
![“No wonder that Churchill described this effort [the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than the buzz bombs and the rockets that Werner von Braun designed for a German victory, a weapon absolutely decisive, in the judgement of…” quote by Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c3/peter-hilton-61015_allies_no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this_4600.jpg)
