Able Quote by Mikhail Gorbachev
“The United States found dozens of billions of dollars for military action in Iraq, so it should certainly be able to find a few billions of dollars to get rid of weapons of mass destruction. I'll assume that since the most powerful nation - the United States - has promised to pay for much of this, then its word will be kept. If it isn't, I don't think we can have a true partnership.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the United Nations General Assembly, 1990
The quote argues that if the U.S. can fund massive military operations, it should also be able to finance disarmament, and that trust hinges on the U.S. keeping its promises.
In simple terms: If the U.S. can spend billions on war, it should also spend billions to eliminate WMDs, and partnership depends on its reliability.
Key Takeaway
Demand fiscal responsibility and accountability from powerful nations.
Themes
politics
trust
budgeting
international relations
security
Mood
skeptical
concerned
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- foreign policy negotiations
- alliances
- public accountability
Key Concepts
budget allocation
political credibility
disarmament
strategic priorities
Questions to Reflect On
- How can nations balance defense spending with disarmament?
- What mechanisms ensure promises are kept?
A Different Perspective
Assumes unlimited fiscal capacity and political will, ignoring competing domestic needs.
