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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wars start when leaders think attacking others will not cost them much.
In plain terms
Governments start wars when they think aggression is cheap.
What can you take from it?
Prevent war by making aggression costly.

Where it applies

  • international relations
  • military strategy
  • conflict analysis

Putting it to work

  • Increase cost of aggression
  • Strengthen deterrence

Questions to consider

  • What deters aggression effectively?
  • How is the price of aggression calculated?

Another view

Sometimes miscalculation occurs regardless of cost.

More from Ronald Reagan

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  3. Not to the extent of throwing up my hands and saying, 'Well, it's all over.' No. I think whichever generation and at whatever time, when the time comes, the ge…

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