Armies Quote by Noam Chomsky
“Occupying armies have responsibilities, not rights. Their primary responsibility is to withdraw as quickly and expeditiously as possible, in a manner determined by the occupied population.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Occupying Powers and Ethics, Noam Chomsky, 2015
Occupying forces have a moral duty to withdraw promptly, guided by the wishes of those they occupy, rather than claim rights.
In simple terms: Occupiers must withdraw, respecting locals.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize occupied peoples' wishes.
Themes
ethics
military
human rights
sovereignty
responsibility
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- humanitarian aid
- peace negotiations
- civil advocacy
Key Concepts
Moral responsibility
occupier-occupied dynamics
international law
Questions to Reflect On
- How can occupied populations influence occupiers?
- What mechanisms ensure ethical withdrawals?
A Different Perspective
Political realities may delay withdrawal.
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
