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...obviously the Serbs had contingency plans, as every sane person knew. The US has contingency plans to invade Canada. Israel has contingency plans to expel Palestinians, and few sane people doubt that they would carry them out if under attack. That's what military planners do for a living. [...] In that book I reviewed the kind of material selected from the OSCE report by the Irish TV announcer, but also reviewed the material that would have been selected by his exact counterpart in Belgrade, and the full conclusions.

Noam Chomsky#93

PolicyGeopoliticsMilitarySecurityStrategyMilitary strategy

About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote points out that many nations have contingency plans for extreme actions, implying that such plans are standard for military strategists.
In plain terms
Countries always have backup war plans ready.
What can you take from it?
Recognize that contingency planning is a routine part of national security.

Where it applies

  • defense briefings
  • policy reviews

Putting it to work

  • assessing risk scenarios
  • strategic forecasting

Questions to consider

  • Why do governments keep extreme plans secret?
  • What checks exist on the use of such plans?

Another view

Having plans does not mean they will be executed.

More from Noam Chomsky

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