--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If an adversary didn't target our power…" description: "\"If an adversary didn't target our power plants but they did target the core routers, the backbones that tie our internet connections together, entire p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/edward-snowden-555_adversaries_if-an-adversary-didn-t-target-our-power_66312.jpg" --- # If an adversary didn't target our power plants but they… ![“If an adversary didn't target our power plants but they did target the core routers, the backbones that tie our internet connections together, entire parts of the United States could be cut off. That would have a tremendous impact on us as a society and it would have a policy backlash.” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/edward-snowden-555_adversaries_if-an-adversary-didn-t-target-our-power_66312.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/edward-snowden-555_adversaries_if-an-adversary-didn-t-target-our-power_66312.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79f/edward-snowden-555_adversaries_if-an-adversary-didn-t-target-our-power_66312.jpg) > “If an adversary didn't target our power plants but they did target the core routers, the backbones that tie our internet connections together, entire parts of the United States could be cut off. That would have a tremendous impact on us as a society and it would have a policy backlash.” [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Targeting core internet infrastructure could cripple national communication, causing societal disruption and political fallout. **In simple terms:** Infrastructure attacks cause societal and political damage. Key Takeaway Critical network nodes are strategic vulnerabilities. Themes Cybersecurity Infrastructure National Security Policy Resilience Mood Urgent Foreboding Type Warning Policy insight When to use this quote - Government emergency response - Corporate risk assessment - Public policy debate - Infrastructure planning Key Concepts Internet backbone Power grids Adversarial targeting Societal impact Practical Applications - Designing redundant routing - Developing cyber‑defense strategies Questions to Reflect On - How can societies mitigate single‑point failures? - What policies balance security and openness? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries/) [Backbone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backbone/) [Connections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connections/) [Hacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hacker/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Internet connection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet-connection/) [Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plant/) [Power plants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-plants/) [Ties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ties/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) ## Related quotes > [The target of power is more interesting than its quantity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/the-target-of-power-is-more-interesting-than-its-quantity/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“It’s important for you to understand that routers, which work at the Network layer, don’t care about where a particular host is located. They’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-lammle/it-s-important-for-you-to-understand-that-routers-which-work-at-the/) Todd Lammle > [“All of a sudden the market is all about algos and routers. It’s hard to figure this stuff out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lewis/all-of-a-sudden-the-market-is-all-about-algos-and-routers-it-s-hard/) [Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/) > [“Remember that a computer is for computing and routers for routing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-tittel/remember-that-a-computer-is-for-computing-and-routers-for-routing/) [Ed Tittel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-tittel/) > [By 1988, I'm seeing this commercial phenomenon beginning to show up. Hardware makers are selling routers to universities so they can build up their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vint-cerf/by-1988-i-m-seeing-this-commercial-phenomenon-beginning-to-show-up/) [Vint Cerf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vint-cerf/) > [All of a sudden the market is all about algos and routers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lewis/all-of-a-sudden-the-market-is-all-about-algos-and-routers/) [Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/) > [When people conceptualize a cyber-attack, they do tend to think about parts of the critical infrastructure like power plants, water supplies, and similar sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/when-people-conceptualize-a-cyber-attack-they-do-tend-to-think-about/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [The awkward moment, when Usain Bolt runs faster than your internet connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-awkward-moment-when-usain-bolt-runs-faster-than-your-internet/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Yes?” he said impatiently. There was a pause. “You wouldn’t believe how many people I had to bribe to get this new number of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-palmer/yes-he-said-impatiently-there-was-a-pause-you-wouldn-t-believe-how/) [Diana Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-palmer/) > [Won't it be sad to have an Internet connection to Mars if there are no Martians to write to or e-mail us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/won-t-it-be-sad-to-have-an-internet-connection-to-mars-if-there-are/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [In theoretical physics, one can, in principle, work from anyplace as long as one has a computer and Internet connection. So I do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashoke-sen/in-theoretical-physics-one-can-in-principle-work-from-anyplace-as/) [Ashoke Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashoke-sen/) > [“The idea that the material is safe because it is encrypted is shockingly naïve: it is child's play for a sophisticated adversary to place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-lucas/the-idea-that-the-material-is-safe-because-it-is-encrypted-is/) [Edward Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-lucas/) > [The Internet connection from the road can be spotty, so usually when I'm on the tour bus, I'm playing 'God of War.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-show/the-internet-connection-from-the-road-can-be-spotty-so-usually-when-i/) [Big Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-show/) > [Besides, anyone with an Internet connection feels they have the credentials to critique or belittle anything these days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-colfer/besides-anyone-with-an-internet-connection-feels-they-have-the/) [Chris Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-colfer/) > [With the recession, people are having to choose between their cable and their internet connection. And think about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosario-dawson/with-the-recession-people-are-having-to-choose-between-their-cable/) [Rosario Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosario-dawson/) ## More by Edward Snowden > [It is afraid of an informed, angry public demanding the constitutional government it was promised - and it should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/it-is-afraid-of-an-informed-angry-public-demanding-the-constitutional/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [Much of what I saw in Geneva really disillusioned me about how my government functions and what its impact is in the world. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/much-of-what-i-saw-in-geneva-really-disillusioned-me-about-how-my/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [If it comes to a question of law, the charges they brought against me - the Espionage Act - is called the quintessential political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/if-it-comes-to-a-question-of-law-the-charges-they-brought-against-me/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [The NSA and Israel wrote Stuxnet together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/the-nsa-and-israel-wrote-stuxnet-together/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [As a general rule, so long as you have any choice at all, you should never route through or peer with the UK under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/as-a-general-rule-so-long-as-you-have-any-choice-at-all-you-should/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [ \[Brazil\] went to the UN and said, "We need new standards for this." We need to take a look at what they're calling "data… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/brazil-went-to-the-un-and-said-we-need-new-standards-for-this-we-need/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [You are also asked to take an oath, and that's the oath of service. The oath of service is not to secrecy, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/you-are-also-asked-to-take-an-oath-and-that-s-the-oath-of-service-the/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [We need to think about encryption not as this sort of arcane, black art. It's a basic protection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/we-need-to-think-about-encryption-not-as-this-sort-of-arcane-black/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [A lot of people in 2008 voted for Obama. I did not vote for him. I voted for a third party. But I believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/a-lot-of-people-in-2008-voted-for-obama-i-did-not-vote-for-him-i/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [Too often we forget that social and political movements don't happen overnight. They don't bring change immediately - you have to build a critical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/too-often-we-forget-that-social-and-political-movements-don-t-happen/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [ There was a real choice when \[Barack Obama\] became president. It was a very difficult choice - to say, "We're not going to hold… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/there-was-a-real-choice-when-barack-obama-became-president-it-was-a/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [We've learned that we've allowed technological capabilities to dictate policies and practices, rather than ensuring that our laws and values guide our technological capabilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/we-ve-learned-that-we-ve-allowed-technological-capabilities-to/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [It's much easier, I think, to protect communications while they're in transit at least, than it is to enforce legislation in every country in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/it-s-much-easier-i-think-to-protect-communications-while-they-re-in/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [I care more about the country than what happens to me. But we can't allow the law to become a political weapon or agree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/i-care-more-about-the-country-than-what-happens-to-me-but-we-can-t/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [Citizens with a conscience are not going to ignore wrong-doing simply because they'll be destroyed for it: the conscience forbids it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/citizens-with-a-conscience-are-not-going-to-ignore-wrong-doing-simply/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) [Explore all 478 Edward Snowden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) ## More Adversaries quotes > [In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/in-all-matters-of-opinion-our-adversaries-are-insane/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Inanimate objects are sometimes parties to litigation. A ship has a legal personality, a fiction found useful for maritime purposes. The corporation sole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/inanimate-objects-are-sometimes-parties-to-litigation-a-ship-has-a/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [There were various aspects of Sun Tzu's approach that appealed to Ho Chi Minh: a) to learn to understand both the enemy and yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-duiker/there-were-various-aspects-of-sun-tzu-s-approach-that-appealed-to-ho/) [William J. Duiker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-duiker/) > [Marriage, in my view, should be a balanced stalemate between equal adversaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/marriage-in-my-view-should-be-a-balanced-stalemate-between-equal/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's like I'm married to the silencer, Until I file for divorce and release my ex-calibers. Do art with your arteries, place that for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharoahe-monch/it-s-like-i-m-married-to-the-silencer-until-i-file-for-divorce-and/) [Pharoahe Monch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharoahe-monch/) > [Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations. Man's capacity for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/educational-exchange-can-turn-nations-into-people-contributing-as-no/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [Obama is hardly the first president to seek rapprochement with our adversaries and reconciliation with our enemies, of course. But his determination to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-f-hayes/obama-is-hardly-the-first-president-to-seek-rapprochement-with-our/) [Stephen F. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-f-hayes/) > [It is better to make friends than adversaries of a conquered race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-haydon/it-is-better-to-make-friends-than-adversaries-of-a-conquered-race/) [Benjamin Haydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-haydon/) > [“The most courageous act in politics is to try to understand your opponent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/the-most-courageous-act-in-politics-is-to-try-to-understand-your/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [My adversary is the world of finance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/my-adversary-is-the-world-of-finance/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Often GOP political strategy seems like the human wave theory of the Chinese military translated to politics. Where Beijing uses masses of soldiers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-morris/often-gop-political-strategy-seems-like-the-human-wave-theory-of-the/) [Dick Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-morris/) > [Our ability to fall in love requires enough comfort with our masculinity to join it with someone's femininity and feel enhanced. .. . If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/our-ability-to-fall-in-love-requires-enough-comfort-with-our/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [You negotiate in bad faith if you do not forgive your adversary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/you-negotiate-in-bad-faith-if-you-do-not-forgive-your-adversary/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [We should seek after spiritual gifts. They can lead us to God. They can shield us from the power of the adversary. They can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/we-should-seek-after-spiritual-gifts-they-can-lead-us-to-god-they-can/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [While the President leads his potential adversaries in almost every state, his support is soft. He is seen as honest, sincere, just, and friendly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-teeter/while-the-president-leads-his-potential-adversaries-in-almost-every/) [Robert Teeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-teeter/) [Browse all 446 Adversaries quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If an adversary didn't target our power plants but they did target the core routers, the backbones that tie our internet connections together, entire parts of the United States could be cut off. 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