According to the 94-year-old linguist, the number of foreign dignitaries who have traveled to Kiev since the outbreak of war proves Russia's restraint.
Linguist Noam Chomsky, 94, gave an interview to The New Statesman on the occasion of the release of his latest book, a collection of interviews with political scientist CJ Polychroniou, focusing primarily on foreign policy.
Chomsky explained in the interview that Russia is acting with restraint and moderation. He compares Russia's fighting style to that of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, arguing that
He adds: “There is no doubt that Russia could do it, presumably with conventional weapons. [Russia] could make Kiev as unlivable as Baghdad was, move in to attack supply lines in western Ukraine”.the large-scale destruction of infrastructure seen in that conflict "didn't happen in Ukraine."
Chomsky explained that he was not only referring to the fact that Russia is fighting in Ukraine in a more humane way than the US in Iraq: "I am not only referring to this, it is obvious." UN inspectors had to be withdrawn as soon as the invasion of Iraq began, he says, "because the attack was so severe and extreme ... This is the American and British style of war." Chomsky adds: “Let's look at the victims. I only know the official numbers… the official UN numbers are about 8,000 civilian casualties [in Ukraine]. How many civilian casualties were there when the US and Britain invaded Iraq?”
He explained that the number of foreign dignitaries traveling to Kiev since the outbreak of the war proves Russia's restraint, which is in stark contrast to Iraq.
“When the USA and Britain smashed Baghdad to pieces, did any foreign leader go to Baghdad? No, because when the USA and Great Britain start a war, they go to the bathroom. They destroy everything: communication, transport, energy [...] - everything that makes society work."Featured image: ULI DECK / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP
