Crime Quote by Noam Chomsky
“There are people on the left who say, Look, we can't let these atrocities go on, so let's enter the war and get rid of Bashar Assad. The problem with that is you get into a nuclear war with Russia. And Syria gets wiped out along with everything else. So, it's fine to say, OK, let's stop the crimes, but how exactly?”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2022, The Intercept, “The Dilemma of Intervention”
Advocates for non‑military solutions to stop atrocities, warning that war could trigger nuclear escalation and massive loss of life.
In simple terms: War can cause more harm than good; seek other ways to stop violence.
Avoid war, pursue diplomatic and humanitarian strategies.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- humanitarian crises
- international negotiations
- civil activism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What non‑violent actions could effectively pressure Assad?
- How can the international community prevent nuclear escalation?
Military action may not stop the underlying oppression and can create new crises.