Declaring war Quote by Naomi Alderman
““On the thirteenth day of the fifth month of the third year after the Day of the Girls, Tatiana Moskalev brings her wealth and her connections, a little less than half her army, and many of her weapons to a castle in the hills on the borders of Moldova. And there she declares a new kingdom, uniting the coastal lands between the old forests and the great inlets and thus, in effect, declaring war on four separate countries, including the Big Bear herself. She calls the new country Bessapara, after the ancient people who lived there and interpreted the sacred sayings of the priestesses on the mountaintops. The international community waits for the outcome. The consensus is that the state of Bessapara cannot hold on for long.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Power” by Naomi Alderman, 2016
A speculative narrative about a charismatic leader forming a new kingdom, exploring power dynamics, geopolitical intrigue, and the fragility of emergent states.
In simple terms: A leader creates a new kingdom, sparking conflict.
Key Takeaway
Power is fragile; alliances shift quickly.
Themes
politics
war
statecraft
Mood
tense
reflective
Type
political
dramatic
When to use this quote
- diplomacy
- military strategy
- historical analysis
- fictional worldbuilding
Key Concepts
leadership
geopolitics
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors determine a new state's longevity?
- How do personal ambitions affect regional stability?
A Different Perspective
The scenario simplifies complex international relations and ignores internal dissent.
![“I am not sure that I know enough about the pre-history of 9/11 to agree or disagree. But I did think at the time that the [George W.] Bush administration took a number of cues from the Israeli government, not only by drawing on and intensifying anti-Arab racism, but by insisting that the attack on…” quote by Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2f0/judith-butler-1374_administration_i-am-not-sure-that-i-know-enough-about-t_1393515.jpg)
![“The Constitution expressly and exclusively vests in the Legislature the power of declaring a state of war [and] the power of raising armies… A delegation of such powers [to the President] would have struck, not only at the fabric of our Constitution, but at the foundation of all well organized and…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1e3/james-madison-373_army_the-constitution-expressly-and-exclusive_277138.jpg)
