--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only peace that can be made with a…" description: "\"The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. For today, the dictator may be your friend, but tomorrow he w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3f/natan-sharansky-14573_deterrence_the-only-peace-that-can-be-made-with-a-d_26974.jpg" --- # The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once… ![“The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. For today, the dictator may be your friend, but tomorrow he will need you as an enemy.” quote by Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3f/natan-sharansky-14573_deterrence_the-only-peace-that-can-be-made-with-a-d_26974.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3f/natan-sharansky-14573_deterrence_the-only-peace-that-can-be-made-with-a-d_26974.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3f/natan-sharansky-14573_deterrence_the-only-peace-that-can-be-made-with-a-d_26974.jpg) > “The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. For today, the dictator may be your friend, but tomorrow he will need you as an enemy.” [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Peace with a tyrant requires a credible threat; reliance on goodwill is fleeting because power dynamics shift, turning allies into adversaries. **In simple terms:** Deterrence sustains peace with dictators. Key Takeaway Never trust a dictator’s goodwill. Themes Power dynamics Realpolitik Deterrence Trust Strategic foresight Mood Cautious Strategic Skeptical Type Political Strategic Cautionary When to use this quote - Negotiating with authoritarian regimes - Formulating foreign policy - Military alliance planning - Intelligence assessment Key Concepts Geopolitics Security studies Leadership Human behavior Practical Applications - Designing defense postures - Crafting diplomatic strategies Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards prevent a dictator from exploiting temporary alliances? - How can deterrence be balanced with ethical considerations? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deterrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deterrence/) [Dictator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictator/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tomorrow/) ## Related quotes > [Free nations generally look for ways to deal with dictators amicably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/free-nations-generally-look-for-ways-to-deal-with-dictators-amicably/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Arafat rejected the deal because, as a dictator who had directed all his energies toward strengthening the Palestinians hatred toward Israel, Arafat could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/arafat-rejected-the-deal-because-as-a-dictator-who-had-directed-all/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [When you have a regime that would be happier in the afterlife than in this life, this is not a regime that is subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bolton/when-you-have-a-regime-that-would-be-happier-in-the-afterlife-than-in/) [John Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bolton/) > [As a law enforcer, one of the things that I think most about is deterrence. You really want to ensure that firms are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lina-khan/as-a-law-enforcer-one-of-the-things-that-i-think-most-about-is/) [Lina Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lina-khan/) > [You know, we want to lead with diplomacy in every case, but if deterrence falls and you must fight, you fight to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/you-know-we-want-to-lead-with-diplomacy-in-every-case-but-if/) [Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/) > [No punishment has ever possessed enough power of deterrence to prevent the commission of crimes. On the contrary, whatever the punishment, once a specific…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/no-punishment-has-ever-possessed-enough-power-of-deterrence-to/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [Our nuclear free status means that we decline to acquiesce in the strategies of nuclear deterrence. We will not turn a blind eye to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lange/our-nuclear-free-status-means-that-we-decline-to-acquiesce-in-the/) [David Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lange/) > [Nuclear deterrence doesn't work outside of the Russian - U.S. context; Saddam Hussein showed that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-horner/nuclear-deterrence-doesn-t-work-outside-of-the-russian-u-s-context/) Charles Horner > [Japan's alliance with the U.S. will only grow in importance amid the increasingly difficult security situation surrounding our country, thus I think it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoshihiko-noda/japan-s-alliance-with-the-u-s-will-only-grow-in-importance-amid-the/) [Yoshihiko Noda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshihiko-noda/) > [We defended our allies in Europe for 40 years during the worst days of the Cold War - very threatening days of the Cold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/we-defended-our-allies-in-europe-for-40-years-during-the-worst-days/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [“The driver of deterrence success is not nuclear weapons, it is nuclear posture. Nuclear weapons may deter, but they deter unequally.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vipin-narang/the-driver-of-deterrence-success-is-not-nuclear-weapons-it-is-nuclear/) Vipin Narang > [New Zealand's nuclear free movement is a broad-based and popular movement. Our nuclear free status is a challenge to much that is accepted as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lange/new-zealand-s-nuclear-free-movement-is-a-broad-based-and-popular/) [David Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lange/) > [Deterrence is still fundamentally about influencing an actor's decisions. It is about a solid policy foundation. It is about credible capabilities. It is about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-robert-kehler/deterrence-is-still-fundamentally-about-influencing-an-actor-s/) C. Robert Kehler > [“This was characteristic of ultimate deterrence: The deterrer and the deteree shared the same terror of deterrence itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/this-was-characteristic-of-ultimate-deterrence-the-deterrer-and-the/) [Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/) > [That's a point that Dan Ellsberg has made for years. He said it's kind of like if you and I go into a grocery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/that-s-a-point-that-dan-ellsberg-has-made-for-years-he-said-it-s-kind/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## More by Natan Sharansky > [Democratic leaders, whose power is ultimately dependent on popular support, are held accountable for failing to improve the lives of their citizens. Therefore, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/democratic-leaders-whose-power-is-ultimately-dependent-on-popular/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [On the other hand, if the free world is concerned with how a new Palestinian leader governs, then the peace process will have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/on-the-other-hand-if-the-free-world-is-concerned-with-how-a-new/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [To go again over the history of the struggle of resistance ... and to think 'Where are all these people today Where is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/to-go-again-over-the-history-of-the-struggle-of-resistance-and-to/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Those who warned that Gorbachev was being put under too much pressure were wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/those-who-warned-that-gorbachev-was-being-put-under-too-much-pressure/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Unfortunately, little attention was paid to how Arafat ruled. In fact, some saw the harsh and repressive nature of Arafat's regime as actually bolstering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/unfortunately-little-attention-was-paid-to-how-arafat-ruled-in-fact/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [It is important to remember that some of the most serious thinkers once thought that democracy was not compatible with the cultures of Germany,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/it-is-important-to-remember-that-some-of-the-most-serious-thinkers/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is a free society or a fear society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/will-dissent-be-permitted-the-answer-to-that-question-will-determine/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [When did America forget that it's America?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/when-did-america-forget-that-it-s-america/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [They tried their best to find a place where I was isolated. But all the resources of a superpower cannot isolate the man who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/they-tried-their-best-to-find-a-place-where-i-was-isolated-but-all/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Japan is not a Western democracy. The Japanese have kept their traditions, culture and heritage, but they have joined the community of free nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/japan-is-not-a-western-democracy-the-japanese-have-kept-their/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Arafat rejected the deal because, as a dictator who had directed all his energies toward strengthening the Palestinians hatred toward Israel, Arafat could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/arafat-rejected-the-deal-because-as-a-dictator-who-had-directed-all/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Of course, there can be serious injustices within free societies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/of-course-there-can-be-serious-injustices-within-free-societies/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [My theory is that security - also against terror - can only be accomplished through global democratization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/my-theory-is-that-security-also-against-terror-can-only-be/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Free nations generally look for ways to deal with dictators amicably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/free-nations-generally-look-for-ways-to-deal-with-dictators-amicably/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [The message of the free world to any potential Palestinian leadership should be a simple one: Embrace democratic reform and we will embrace you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/the-message-of-the-free-world-to-any-potential-palestinian-leadership/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) [Explore all 46 Natan Sharansky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) ## More Deterrence quotes > [That's a point that Dan Ellsberg has made for years. He said it's kind of like if you and I go into a grocery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/that-s-a-point-that-dan-ellsberg-has-made-for-years-he-said-it-s-kind/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“This was characteristic of ultimate deterrence: The deterrer and the deteree shared the same terror of deterrence itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/this-was-characteristic-of-ultimate-deterrence-the-deterrer-and-the/) [Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/) > [Deterrence is still fundamentally about influencing an actor's decisions. It is about a solid policy foundation. It is about credible capabilities. It is about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-robert-kehler/deterrence-is-still-fundamentally-about-influencing-an-actor-s/) C. Robert Kehler > [New Zealand's nuclear free movement is a broad-based and popular movement. Our nuclear free status is a challenge to much that is accepted as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lange/new-zealand-s-nuclear-free-movement-is-a-broad-based-and-popular/) [David Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lange/) > [“The driver of deterrence success is not nuclear weapons, it is nuclear posture. Nuclear weapons may deter, but they deter unequally.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vipin-narang/the-driver-of-deterrence-success-is-not-nuclear-weapons-it-is-nuclear/) Vipin Narang > [We defended our allies in Europe for 40 years during the worst days of the Cold War - very threatening days of the Cold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/we-defended-our-allies-in-europe-for-40-years-during-the-worst-days/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [Japan's alliance with the U.S. will only grow in importance amid the increasingly difficult security situation surrounding our country, thus I think it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoshihiko-noda/japan-s-alliance-with-the-u-s-will-only-grow-in-importance-amid-the/) [Yoshihiko Noda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshihiko-noda/) > [Nuclear deterrence doesn't work outside of the Russian - U.S. context; Saddam Hussein showed that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-horner/nuclear-deterrence-doesn-t-work-outside-of-the-russian-u-s-context/) Charles Horner > [Our nuclear free status means that we decline to acquiesce in the strategies of nuclear deterrence. We will not turn a blind eye to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lange/our-nuclear-free-status-means-that-we-decline-to-acquiesce-in-the/) [David Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lange/) > [No punishment has ever possessed enough power of deterrence to prevent the commission of crimes. On the contrary, whatever the punishment, once a specific…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/no-punishment-has-ever-possessed-enough-power-of-deterrence-to/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [You know, we want to lead with diplomacy in every case, but if deterrence falls and you must fight, you fight to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/you-know-we-want-to-lead-with-diplomacy-in-every-case-but-if/) [Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/) > [As a law enforcer, one of the things that I think most about is deterrence. You really want to ensure that firms are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lina-khan/as-a-law-enforcer-one-of-the-things-that-i-think-most-about-is/) [Lina Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lina-khan/) > [When you have a regime that would be happier in the afterlife than in this life, this is not a regime that is subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bolton/when-you-have-a-regime-that-would-be-happier-in-the-afterlife-than-in/) [John Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bolton/) > [For the US, the Kosovo War was a success because it encouraged the development of the Pentagon's 'Revolution in Military Affairs' (RMA). The war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-virilio/for-the-us-the-kosovo-war-was-a-success-because-it-encouraged-the/) [Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/) > [Preemption is a kind of pre-deterrence that stops the threat at an earlier, safer stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-krauthammer/preemption-is-a-kind-of-pre-deterrence-that-stops-the-threat-at-an/) [Charles Krauthammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-krauthammer/) [Browse all 55 Deterrence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deterrence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. 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