--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The escalation to attack undefended…" description: "\"The escalation to attack undefended civilian targets is just a classic illustration of terrorism.\" — Noam Chomsky" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/noam-chomsky-42_civilians_the-escalation-to-attack-undefended-civi_3151346.jpg" --- # The escalation to attack undefended civilian targets is… ![“The escalation to attack undefended civilian targets is just a classic illustration of terrorism.” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/noam-chomsky-42_civilians_the-escalation-to-attack-undefended-civi_3151346.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/noam-chomsky-42_civilians_the-escalation-to-attack-undefended-civi_3151346.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/noam-chomsky-42_civilians_the-escalation-to-attack-undefended-civi_3151346.jpg) > “The escalation to attack undefended civilian targets is just a classic illustration of terrorism.” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights that targeting civilians is a defining feature of terrorism, emphasizing moral condemnation. **In simple terms:** Attacking civilians defines terrorism. Key Takeaway Condemn civilian attacks as terrorism. Themes terrorism civilian protection ethics Mood serious concerned Type analytical political When to use this quote - conflict zones - policy debates - human rights advocacy - media reporting Key Concepts political violence moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can societies prevent civilian targeting? - What ethical frameworks address terrorism? A Different Perspective Complex geopolitical motives may be oversimplified. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilians/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism/) ## Related quotes > [I was at Ground Zero, and it was, to me, such a graphic illustration of what terrorism has done to our world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-was-at-ground-zero-and-it-was-to-me-such-a-graphic-illustration-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Al Qaeda is not a nation-state and it has not signed the Geneva Conventions. It shows no desire to obey the laws of war;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/al-qaeda-is-not-a-nation-state-and-it-has-not-signed-the-geneva/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [Terrorism is the intentional use of, or threat to use violence against civilians or against civilian targets, in order to attain political aims.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boaz-ganor/terrorism-is-the-intentional-use-of-or-threat-to-use-violence-against/) Boaz Ganor > [Al Qaeda operates by launching surprise attacks on civilian targets with the goal of massive casualties. Our only means for preventing future attacks, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/al-qaeda-operates-by-launching-surprise-attacks-on-civilian-targets/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [In the short run, using militias might be the quickest and easiest way to improve order on Iraq's streets and uproot the terrorists and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/in-the-short-run-using-militias-might-be-the-quickest-and-easiest-way/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [The American escalation of the war in Laos provoked a response by the Communist forces, which now control more of Laos than ever before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-american-escalation-of-the-war-in-laos-provoked-a-response-by-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There is extensive critical scholarship that provides illustrations in many areas of scholarship. I've discussed many cases myself, while also citing and often relying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-is-extensive-critical-scholarship-that-provides-illustrations/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [In the literal sense, there has been no relevant evolution since the trek from Africa. But there has been substantial progress towards higher standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/in-the-literal-sense-there-has-been-no-relevant-evolution-since-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Intellectuals of the categories happen to enjoy unusual privilege, unique in history, I suppose. It's easy enough to find ugly illustrations of repression, malice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/intellectuals-of-the-categories-happen-to-enjoy-unusual-privilege/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Kids don't care what party they have, right? They want cake and they want to run around. Nothing else matters. But in this escalation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/kids-don-t-care-what-party-they-have-right-they-want-cake-and-they/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [“Reinforcing feedback occurs when a change builds on itself over time. In the language of living systems, this particular kind of reinforcing feedback is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-booth-sweeney/reinforcing-feedback-occurs-when-a-change-builds-on-itself-over-time/) Linda Booth Sweeney > [This stigma associated with drug use--the belief that bad kids use, good kids don't, and those with full-blown addiction are weak, dissolute, and pathetic--has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sheff/this-stigma-associated-with-drug-use-the-belief-that-bad-kids-use/) [David Sheff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sheff/) > [“Confidence cannot escalate to arrogance, it only happens if the blood of pride is running through your veins.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/confidence-cannot-escalate-to-arrogance-it-only-happens-if-the-blood/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [The consequence could be that we would have an escalation that would take place that would not only involve many lives, but I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/the-consequence-could-be-that-we-would-have-an-escalation-that-would/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [It's almost inevitable there's going to be an escalation on both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-luther/it-s-almost-inevitable-there-s-going-to-be-an-escalation-on-both-sides/) Bill Luther ## More by Noam Chomsky > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [It’s a shameful moment for U.S. media when it insists on being subservient to the grotesque propaganda agencies of a violent, aggressive state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/it-s-a-shameful-moment-for-u-s-media-when-it-insists-on-being/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There are questions as to whether it should even exist. Who should corporations be responsive to, the management of a corporation? Theoretically they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-questions-as-to-whether-it-should-even-exist-who-should/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Governments regard their own citizens as their main enemy, and they have to be - protect themselves. That's why you have state secret laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/governments-regard-their-own-citizens-as-their-main-enemy-and-they/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I don't join the New Atheists. So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The first thing you ought to do is verify what I present. Just because I say it doesn't make it true. So check it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-first-thing-you-ought-to-do-is-verify-what-i-present-just-because/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [ I wrote an article about the marine landing \[in Haiti\] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-landing-in-haiti-right-away-but/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [American society is now remarkably atomized. Political organizations have collapsed. In fact, it seems like even bowling leagues are collapsing. The left has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/american-society-is-now-remarkably-atomized-political-organizations/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Discovery is the ability to be puzzled by simple things. Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/discovery-is-the-ability-to-be-puzzled-by-simple-things-noam-chomsky/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's an interesting book about that called The Third Reich and the Ivory Tower, written by Stephen H. Norwood. It has a long discussion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-an-interesting-book-about-that-called-the-third-reich-and-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [This is class war on an international scale, and power is in the hands of those who control the international economic system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/this-is-class-war-on-an-international-scale-and-power-is-in-the-hands/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There are big, extremely irrational parts of the society, and they have now been mobilized politically by the Republican establishment, hoping that these people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-big-extremely-irrational-parts-of-the-society-and-they-have/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's plenty to criticize about the mass media, but they are the source of regular information about a wide range of topics. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-plenty-to-criticize-about-the-mass-media-but-they-are-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The 50,000 Korean mercenaries we had in Vietnam were professional killers and just massacred people outright. And the American army did plenty of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-50-000-korean-mercenaries-we-had-in-vietnam-were-professional/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) [Explore all 2,129 Noam Chomsky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## More Civilians quotes > [UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/un-peacekeeping-operations-are-now-increasingly-complex-and-multi/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. 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It says all necessary measures to be taken to protect civilians and civilian areas.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-jackson/well-the-u-n-security-council-resolution-1973-is-very-clear-it-says/) [Mike Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-jackson/) > [Be kindly and just in your dealings with your men. Never play favorites. Make them feel that justice tempered with mercy may always be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-lejeune/be-kindly-and-just-in-your-dealings-with-your-men-never-play/) [John A. Lejeune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-lejeune/) > [There's been a systematic propagandizing of American citizens for 30 years to make us forget what America is supposed to be and what our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/there-s-been-a-systematic-propagandizing-of-american-citizens-for-30/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [ The other thing we did as government is to open gates for the civilians to leave that \[ eastern part\] area \[in Aleppo\], and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bashar-al-assad/the-other-thing-we-did-as-government-is-to-open-gates-for-the/) [Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bashar-al-assad/) > [For all the civilians saved thanks to the presence of peacekeepers, there have been those who were lost - the United Nations personnel who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-eliasson/for-all-the-civilians-saved-thanks-to-the-presence-of-peacekeepers/) [Jan Eliasson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-eliasson/) > [ \[General Curtis\] LeMay recognized that what he was doing would be thought immoral if his side has lost. But what makes it immoral if… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mcnamara/general-curtis-lemay-recognized-that-what-he-was-doing-would-be/) [Robert McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mcnamara/) > [The authority of the civil defense ... issued a warning to the civilian population not to pick up any of those pencils because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/the-authority-of-the-civil-defense-issued-a-warning-to-the-civilian/) [Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/) > [...Uncalled-for aggression arouses the hatred of the civilian population...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/uncalled-for-aggression-arouses-the-hatred-of-the-civilian-population/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [A large portion of American citizens, especially people of color, have lost confidence in our criminal justice system. 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