Community Quote by Edward Said
![“The just response to this terrible event [9/11] should be to go immediately to the world community, the United Nations. The rule of international law should be marshaled, but it's probably too late because the United States has never done that; it's always gone it alone.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/15f/edward-said-6412_community_the-just-response-to-this-terrible-event_189801.jpg)
“The just response to this terrible event [9/11] should be to go immediately to the world community, the United Nations. The rule of international law should be marshaled, but it's probably too late because the United States has never done that; it's always gone it alone.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Post‑9/11 commentary, 2002
The U.S. should have turned to international bodies like the UN for collective action, but it chose unilateralism, limiting global legal response.
In simple terms: U.S. acted alone, ignoring global law.
Key Takeaway
Advocate multilateral cooperation in crises.
Themes
international law
UN
global governance
unilateralism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- foreign policy
- crisis management
- diplomacy
Key Concepts
political strategy
collective security
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do nations favor unilateral decisions?
- How can international law be strengthened?
A Different Perspective
Unilateral actions can undermine long‑term stability.
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![“[9/11] was bloody-minded destruction for no other reason than to do it.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a6e/edward-said-6412_bloody_9-11-was-bloody-minded-destruction-for-n_64269.jpg)
![“[One task of intellectuals is] to break down the stereotypes and reductive categories that are . . . limiting to human thought and communication.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b94/edward-said-6412_break_one-task-of-intellectuals-is-to-break-do_140792.jpg)
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