Laos Quote by Joshua Kurlantzick
““In the most heavily bombed part of the country—a high, strategically located plateau in the middle of Laos, called the Plain of Jars, the American bombing runs almost never paused. Of the roughly 150,000 people who lived on the Plain of Jars before the 1960s, only about 9,000 remained at the end of the decade.37 After the war, one-third of the bombs dropped on Laos remained in the ground and undetonated.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Politics of Bombing in Laos, Joshua Kurlantzick, 2015
The passage describes the extreme bombing of the Plain of Jars, massive civilian loss, and lingering unexploded ordnance.
In simple terms: Heavy bombing devastated a region, leaving many dead and dangerous bombs behind.
Key Takeaway
Recognize war’s long‑term human and environmental costs.
Themes
war
humanitarian crisis
environmental legacy
memory
justice
Mood
somber
reflective
urgent
Type
historical
informative
call to action
When to use this quote
- history lessons
- policy advocacy
- education on UXO
- tourism safety
- reconciliation efforts
Key Concepts
military strategy
civilian impact
post‑conflict remediation
collective trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance remembrance with rebuilding?
- What policies best accelerate UXO clearance?
A Different Perspective
Even after conflict ends, unexploded bombs continue to threaten lives and development.
