Interest Quote by Oscar Arias
“The problem with basing weapons sales on strategic interest is that these interests tend to shift over time, while weapons are durable goods that do not evaporate as quickly as some alliances do. Once supplied, they can't be taken back. That leads to situations such as the ones we have seen in Iraq, Somalia.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the United Nations General Assembly, 2006
Arming allies based on fleeting strategic goals creates long‑term risks because weapons outlast political alliances, leading to unintended conflicts.
In simple terms: Selling weapons for short‑term strategy can cause future problems.
Key Takeaway
Consider long‑term consequences before arms deals.
Themes
politics
military
risk
strategy
history
Mood
cautious
reflective
serious
Type
policy
strategic
historical
When to use this quote
- foreign policy planning
- defense procurement
- conflict prevention
- post‑conflict reconstruction
Key Concepts
realpolitik
geopolitics
military economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can arms sales be aligned with enduring peace?
- What safeguards can prevent misuse of supplied weapons?
A Different Perspective
Weapons cannot be reclaimed, so misaligned sales may empower future adversaries.
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