Action Quote by William Safire
“Today, war of necessity is used by critics of military action to describe unavoidable response to an attack like that on Pearl Harbor that led to our prompt, official declaration of war, while they characterize as unwise wars of choice the wars in Korea, Vietnam and the current war in Iraq.”
About This Quote
Source Article: "War of Necessity" in The New York Times, 2003
The quote distinguishes between wars deemed necessary, like Pearl Harbor’s response, and wars considered choices, such as Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq.
In simple terms: Some wars are seen as unavoidable, others as optional.
Key Takeaway
Question the criteria that label wars as necessary or optional.
Themes
history
military strategy
ethics
political rhetoric
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- educational curricula
- policy analysis
- media commentary
- public debate
Key Concepts
just war theory
foreign policy
public opinion
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a war “necessary” versus a “choice”?
- How do public narratives shape this perception?
A Different Perspective
The binary may ignore nuanced motivations and consequences of each conflict.
