What do you think?
Rate this book
Acts of Aggression
Through three separate essays, this book provides an in-depth analysis of U.S.-Arab relations, the contradictions and consequences of U.S. foreign policy toward "rogue states, " and how hostile American actions abroad conflict with U.N. resolutions and international law.Noam Chomsky compares U.S. foreign policy to that of the "rogue states" which the United States identifies as Its enemies.
Ramsey Clark argues that U.S. sanctions and military actions against Iraq are indefensible, and in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Ramsey Clark argues that U.S. sanctions and military actions against Iraq are indefensible, and in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
64 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1999
About the author
Noam Chomsky
997 books17.5k followersAvram Noam Chomsky is an American professor and public intellectual known for his work in linguistics, political activism, and social criticism. Sometimes called "the father of modern linguistics", Chomsky is also a major figure in analytic philosophy and one of the founders of the field of cognitive science. He is a laureate professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona and an institute professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Among the most cited living authors, Chomsky has written more than 150 books on topics such as linguistics, war, and politics. In addition to his work in linguistics, since the 1960s Chomsky has been an influential voice on the American left as a consistent critic of U.S. foreign policy, contemporary capitalism, and corporate influence on political institutions and the media.
Born to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants (his father was William Chomsky) in Philadelphia, Chomsky developed an early interest in anarchism from alternative bookstores in New York City. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania. During his postgraduate work in the Harvard Society of Fellows, Chomsky developed the theory of transformational grammar for which he earned his doctorate in 1955. That year he began teaching at MIT, and in 1957 emerged as a significant figure in linguistics with his landmark work Syntactic Structures, which played a major role in remodeling the study of language. From 1958 to 1959 Chomsky was a National Science Foundation fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study. He created or co-created the universal grammar theory, the generative grammar theory, the Chomsky hierarchy, and the minimalist program. Chomsky also played a pivotal role in the decline of linguistic behaviorism, and was particularly critical of the work of B.F. Skinner.
An outspoken opponent of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, which he saw as an act of American imperialism, in 1967 Chomsky rose to national attention for his anti-war essay "The Responsibility of Intellectuals". Becoming associated with the New Left, he was arrested multiple times for his activism and placed on President Richard M. Nixon's list of political opponents. While expanding his work in linguistics over subsequent decades, he also became involved in the linguistics wars. In collaboration with Edward S. Herman, Chomsky later articulated the propaganda model of media criticism in Manufacturing Consent, and worked to expose the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. His defense of unconditional freedom of speech, including that of Holocaust denial, generated significant controversy in the Faurisson affair of the 1980s. Chomsky's commentary on the Cambodian genocide and the Bosnian genocide also generated controversy. Since retiring from active teaching at MIT, he has continued his vocal political activism, including opposing the 2003 invasion of Iraq and supporting the Occupy movement. An anti-Zionist, Chomsky considers Israel's treatment of Palestinians to be worse than South African–style apartheid, and criticizes U.S. support for Israel.
Chomsky is widely recognized as having helped to spark the cognitive revolution in the human sciences, contributing to the development of a new cognitivistic framework for the study of language and the mind. Chomsky remains a leading critic of U.S. foreign policy, contemporary capitalism, U.S. involvement and Israel's role in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and mass media. Chomsky and his ideas are highly influential in the anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movements. Since 2017, he has been Agnese Helms Haury Chair in the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice at the University of Arizona.
Born to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants (his father was William Chomsky) in Philadelphia, Chomsky developed an early interest in anarchism from alternative bookstores in New York City. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania. During his postgraduate work in the Harvard Society of Fellows, Chomsky developed the theory of transformational grammar for which he earned his doctorate in 1955. That year he began teaching at MIT, and in 1957 emerged as a significant figure in linguistics with his landmark work Syntactic Structures, which played a major role in remodeling the study of language. From 1958 to 1959 Chomsky was a National Science Foundation fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study. He created or co-created the universal grammar theory, the generative grammar theory, the Chomsky hierarchy, and the minimalist program. Chomsky also played a pivotal role in the decline of linguistic behaviorism, and was particularly critical of the work of B.F. Skinner.
An outspoken opponent of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, which he saw as an act of American imperialism, in 1967 Chomsky rose to national attention for his anti-war essay "The Responsibility of Intellectuals". Becoming associated with the New Left, he was arrested multiple times for his activism and placed on President Richard M. Nixon's list of political opponents. While expanding his work in linguistics over subsequent decades, he also became involved in the linguistics wars. In collaboration with Edward S. Herman, Chomsky later articulated the propaganda model of media criticism in Manufacturing Consent, and worked to expose the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. His defense of unconditional freedom of speech, including that of Holocaust denial, generated significant controversy in the Faurisson affair of the 1980s. Chomsky's commentary on the Cambodian genocide and the Bosnian genocide also generated controversy. Since retiring from active teaching at MIT, he has continued his vocal political activism, including opposing the 2003 invasion of Iraq and supporting the Occupy movement. An anti-Zionist, Chomsky considers Israel's treatment of Palestinians to be worse than South African–style apartheid, and criticizes U.S. support for Israel.
Chomsky is widely recognized as having helped to spark the cognitive revolution in the human sciences, contributing to the development of a new cognitivistic framework for the study of language and the mind. Chomsky remains a leading critic of U.S. foreign policy, contemporary capitalism, U.S. involvement and Israel's role in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and mass media. Chomsky and his ideas are highly influential in the anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movements. Since 2017, he has been Agnese Helms Haury Chair in the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice at the University of Arizona.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 28, 2018
The UN Charter clearly states that “no state has the authority to make its own determination on these matters (of war) and to act as it chooses”. Senator John McCain warned that “the United States may be subordinating its power to the United Nations.” Noam comically adds, “an obligation only for law-abiding states.” In 1986, Secretary of State George Schultz explained the fairness and equality of U.S. diplomacy: “Negotiations are a euphemism for capitulation if the shadow of power is not cast across the bargaining table.” Noam remarks, U.S. sponsored atrocities in East Timor were vastly beyond anything attributed to Saddam Hussein.” He discusses Churchill’s sociopathic enthusiasm about using gas on Kurds and Afghans. Noam’s strength is in telling the critical secrets of our history accurately without pausing for the awe and genuflecting before power demanded of mainstream historians. What mainstream U.S. historian will tell you about Iran Air 655? – a civilian airliner shot down unprovoked in Iranian territorial waters by the USS Vincennes. Sixty-Six children alone killed instantly by the land of Freedom and Liberty. The U.S. never apologizes to Iran or admits legal liability for murdering 290 citizens of a different country while illegally in that country. Ask someone in Iran today about that flight and you will quickly learn they still see it as an intentional war crime, not an accident, while we stubbornly pretend against all evidence that Iran instead must be seen as an enemy while the U.S. (which also gave Iran the Shah and the SAVAK) is not the aggressor of record. One more amazing book by Noam.
October 25, 2025
Lockerbie was headline news for years - propaganda framing Gaddafi, shielding the CIA, and contributing to the pretext fabricated to justify the illegal invasion and destruction of Libya - but a similar event six months earlier was completely ignored. In July 1988 the US shot down an Iranian civilian airliner, killing all 290 passengers. It was the second deadliest terrorist attack in aviation history.
The United States made sure that the proceedings of the case at the International Criminal Court (along with the court's pronouncements of US non-compliance) weren't reported in their or other Western media; they never admitted responsibility; they never apologized. "The commander and key officers were rewarded with medals for their conduct" (Chomsky, Acts of Aggression, p.44.) They eventually paid $131.8 million to Iran to rid themselves of the ICC case. At least G.H.W. Bush quelled any animosity that may have been brewing: "I'll never apologize for the United States of America. Ever. I don't care what the facts are."
The United States made sure that the proceedings of the case at the International Criminal Court (along with the court's pronouncements of US non-compliance) weren't reported in their or other Western media; they never admitted responsibility; they never apologized. "The commander and key officers were rewarded with medals for their conduct" (Chomsky, Acts of Aggression, p.44.) They eventually paid $131.8 million to Iran to rid themselves of the ICC case. At least G.H.W. Bush quelled any animosity that may have been brewing: "I'll never apologize for the United States of America. Ever. I don't care what the facts are."
Read
April 15, 2024«دولت سرکش الزاما کشوری جنایتکار نیست. بلکه کشوریست که در مقابل قدرتهای بزرگ-که البته خود استثنا هستند- مقاومت کند.»
سوال اینجاست که با این حجم از علنی بودن جنایتهای بیشمار آمریکا (و انگلیس) در حداقل صد سال اخیر، چرا سازوکارهای جهانی تغییری نمیکنه؟ و چند قدرت محدود همچنان اجازهی هر نوع جنایتی اهل بشر رو دارن؟ اونم بدون ذرهای ترس از پاسخگویی ؛ و نه حتی مجازات.
سوال اینجاست که با این حجم از علنی بودن جنایتهای بیشمار آمریکا (و انگلیس) در حداقل صد سال اخیر، چرا سازوکارهای جهانی تغییری نمیکنه؟ و چند قدرت محدود همچنان اجازهی هر نوع جنایتی اهل بشر رو دارن؟ اونم بدون ذرهای ترس از پاسخگویی ؛ و نه حتی مجازات.
December 21, 2020
Un librito interesante sobre la teorización de los "rogue state" bajo la mirada de EEUU como medio de legitimización de la violencia, ya sea a través de acciones de terror en otros países o a través de sanciones económicas que dejan sin recursos a sus poblaciones más vulnerables. Un resumen interesante sobre lo que ocurrió con la Guerra del Golfo y paralelos en Libia, Cuba o Indonesia. Una demostración más de lo que es la legalidad internacional y el capitalismo como ideología de muerte.
January 12, 2026
Short but succinct, lays out how undeniably illegal the Iraq war was, and how unsurprising that was from the US and UK.
February 4, 2017
Muy interesante y revelador, además de bien documentado. Irak, Irán, son pueblos bendecidos con riquísimos yacimientos de petróleo, situados estratégicamente en el mundo árabe y musulmán. Eso los hace ser estados estratégicos para el país que mas consume petróleo y energía en el mundo, así pues, no importa quién y cómo esté en el poder allí, mientras garantice que los negocios petroleros sean beneficiosos and great again.
January 17, 2022
"The United States has always opposed any sign of Arab nationalism or independence, partly for its own imperial reasons and partly because its unconditional support for Israel requires it to do so." ~Edward Said
As always, Noam Chomsky hits the nail on the head when talking about US foreign policy, the War on Terror, and the United States' interests in the Middle East. This book, though short, is deeply important when discussing how America polices 'rogue states' across the planet from sanctioning countries gaining political independence to invading and initiating war with regions rich with resources America wants to exploit. When you look at America's track record of vastly unsymmetrical 'tit for tat' retaliation with countries it becomes clear that the US and the US alone is allowed to commit whatever acts of aggression, invasion, genocide, and violations of Geneva conventions it wants as long as it fits US interests.
The attack of Pearl Harbor led to America dropping the atomic bomb on Japan. America is the only country that has ever committed nuclear attacks on a country instantly killing over 100,000 civilians and harming hundreds of thousands more. Yet, the US invaded Iraq for nonexistent nuclear weapons and continues to sanction Iran for the possession of nuclear weaponry. The US, alongside Israel, was also planning on dropping another atomic bomb on Iraq during America's invasion of Iraq, yet America was not deemed a 'rogue state' or invaded by another imperial entity for the possession of nuclear weapons. However, it does not seem to matter to America that Russia, Israel, or other countries possess nuclear weapons as long as it aligns with America's interests.
In 1988 America shot down an Iranian passenger airplane from the sky killing all 290 people, and although it was the second deadliest act of aviation terrorism in history America has never been held accountable.
"Acts of Aggression" is a great book that discusses America's imperialism and double standard foreign policies. This book primarily focuses on the Bush Jr. era, but it remains just as relevant today. "Acts of Aggression" makes it abundantly clear that when America categorizes a country as a 'rogue state' it has nothing to do with whatever is actually happening the country (genocide, ethnic cleansing, civil war, political revolution, etc.), and more so to do with how America's interests are being impacted by said happenings.
As always, Noam Chomsky hits the nail on the head when talking about US foreign policy, the War on Terror, and the United States' interests in the Middle East. This book, though short, is deeply important when discussing how America polices 'rogue states' across the planet from sanctioning countries gaining political independence to invading and initiating war with regions rich with resources America wants to exploit. When you look at America's track record of vastly unsymmetrical 'tit for tat' retaliation with countries it becomes clear that the US and the US alone is allowed to commit whatever acts of aggression, invasion, genocide, and violations of Geneva conventions it wants as long as it fits US interests.
The attack of Pearl Harbor led to America dropping the atomic bomb on Japan. America is the only country that has ever committed nuclear attacks on a country instantly killing over 100,000 civilians and harming hundreds of thousands more. Yet, the US invaded Iraq for nonexistent nuclear weapons and continues to sanction Iran for the possession of nuclear weaponry. The US, alongside Israel, was also planning on dropping another atomic bomb on Iraq during America's invasion of Iraq, yet America was not deemed a 'rogue state' or invaded by another imperial entity for the possession of nuclear weapons. However, it does not seem to matter to America that Russia, Israel, or other countries possess nuclear weapons as long as it aligns with America's interests.
In 1988 America shot down an Iranian passenger airplane from the sky killing all 290 people, and although it was the second deadliest act of aviation terrorism in history America has never been held accountable.
"Acts of Aggression" is a great book that discusses America's imperialism and double standard foreign policies. This book primarily focuses on the Bush Jr. era, but it remains just as relevant today. "Acts of Aggression" makes it abundantly clear that when America categorizes a country as a 'rogue state' it has nothing to do with whatever is actually happening the country (genocide, ethnic cleansing, civil war, political revolution, etc.), and more so to do with how America's interests are being impacted by said happenings.
November 15, 2021
Small and mighty!
Three essays packed full of information looking at the United States and the ideology to go to war on 'rogue states'.
Interesting points made.
Three essays packed full of information looking at the United States and the ideology to go to war on 'rogue states'.
Interesting points made.
April 13, 2016
A small book that manages to cover a lot. I will say I preferred Edward Said's detached tone to Chomsky's tendency to rant. Very depressing if you are hoping for this world to become a peaceful place any time soon!
May 2, 2017
Peaceful world is a better world
I don't need to endorse this book for it to be useful or valuable. Writers of this book are learned men of their times and have expressed their views in an excellent manner. Many revealing thoughts are presented here
I don't need to endorse this book for it to be useful or valuable. Writers of this book are learned men of their times and have expressed their views in an excellent manner. Many revealing thoughts are presented here
January 15, 2020
An intelligently written book by one of the most brilliant minds of our time, this is a must-read to understand how real politics works. It's impressive to discover what the US government does in order to protect its interests.
Want to Read
September 24, 2008need to finish it!
December 30, 2012
Stimulating as usual, showing why America is the world's biggest bully and terrorist.
October 30, 2021
The booklet has been published in 1999 at the time of the preparation of the devastating - from a human casualties point of view, Iraq Gulf War, especially the propagandist spin build-up operation designed to pull public opinion into support of war options.
Three distinguished authors contribute to the analytical discussion fared in this publication.
It is now 20 years later, and the really challenging question, when reading this book again, is to reflect on the conflict with hindsight.
Is the critical investigation done at the end of that century still valid, and would it be done today, in the same way, considering the current geopolitical situation in that region?
The booklet and its contributions are reflecting on ‘rogue states’, and one wonders all along with the reading exercise which states deserve the attribute.
The authors are picky in their analysis, even though with convincing arguments. It is obviously not mainstream thinking, certainly not the analysis or war reporting that the “mostly brainwashed citizens” would accept to reflect upon.
What brings us closer to the truth, then? Which is the (an) “outlaw state”? It is left up to every individual reader to be inspired by the arguments proffered in the texts, within many cases of the political or military actions that are highlighted in these essays, especially in the Noam Chomsky contribution. It becomes obvious though that official statements by involved parties are not always matching facts on the ground. A case about lies, distortions, manipulations, spin and pirouettes undertaken with the truth.
An inspiring read with reflections on a subject of historical interest, the Iraq war and previous Gulf War conflicts, and the deeper motivations to ultimately go for the bloodshed, driven by which real interests to be served and above all based on which national if not imperial (exceptionalism) mindsets.
Recommended literature for the presentation of a condensed version of well-known Noam Chomsky theses and political opinions applied to a series of fights and battles in the resource-rich area of the Middle East: still, mind-boggling texts, while helping to better understand the nasty, ruthless “games nations play” which officially pretend to ‘fight’ for democracy, freedom of people, the prevention of the use of weapons of mass destruction, a.s.o.
Not a book for simple-minded gringos.
Three distinguished authors contribute to the analytical discussion fared in this publication.
It is now 20 years later, and the really challenging question, when reading this book again, is to reflect on the conflict with hindsight.
Is the critical investigation done at the end of that century still valid, and would it be done today, in the same way, considering the current geopolitical situation in that region?
The booklet and its contributions are reflecting on ‘rogue states’, and one wonders all along with the reading exercise which states deserve the attribute.
The authors are picky in their analysis, even though with convincing arguments. It is obviously not mainstream thinking, certainly not the analysis or war reporting that the “mostly brainwashed citizens” would accept to reflect upon.
What brings us closer to the truth, then? Which is the (an) “outlaw state”? It is left up to every individual reader to be inspired by the arguments proffered in the texts, within many cases of the political or military actions that are highlighted in these essays, especially in the Noam Chomsky contribution. It becomes obvious though that official statements by involved parties are not always matching facts on the ground. A case about lies, distortions, manipulations, spin and pirouettes undertaken with the truth.
An inspiring read with reflections on a subject of historical interest, the Iraq war and previous Gulf War conflicts, and the deeper motivations to ultimately go for the bloodshed, driven by which real interests to be served and above all based on which national if not imperial (exceptionalism) mindsets.
Recommended literature for the presentation of a condensed version of well-known Noam Chomsky theses and political opinions applied to a series of fights and battles in the resource-rich area of the Middle East: still, mind-boggling texts, while helping to better understand the nasty, ruthless “games nations play” which officially pretend to ‘fight’ for democracy, freedom of people, the prevention of the use of weapons of mass destruction, a.s.o.
Not a book for simple-minded gringos.
April 15, 2026
"Bill Clinton’s personal crises—the campaign-funding scandals, an impending trial for sexual harassment, his various legislative and domestic failures—require him to look strong, determined and “presidential” somewhere else, and where but in the Gulf against Iraq has he so ready-made a foreign devil to set off his blue-eyed strength to full advantage." - E. Saïd.
"The report resurrects Nixon’s “madman theory”: our enemies should recognize that we are crazed and unpredictable, with extraordinary destructive force at our command, so they will bend to our will in fear." - N. Chomsky
Dertig jaar oud, maar pijnlijk actueel. Toen bekritiseerde Noam Chomsky de media omdat ze een oogje dichtknepen, terwijl vandaag een groot deel van het Amerikaanse volk de media verafschuwt omdat ze te politiek zouden zijn. Blijkbaar was een kritischer houding van de media toch niet de oplossing, of op zijn minst niet voldoende.
"The report resurrects Nixon’s “madman theory”: our enemies should recognize that we are crazed and unpredictable, with extraordinary destructive force at our command, so they will bend to our will in fear." - N. Chomsky
Dertig jaar oud, maar pijnlijk actueel. Toen bekritiseerde Noam Chomsky de media omdat ze een oogje dichtknepen, terwijl vandaag een groot deel van het Amerikaanse volk de media verafschuwt omdat ze te politiek zouden zijn. Blijkbaar was een kritischer houding van de media toch niet de oplossing, of op zijn minst niet voldoende.
September 12, 2022
One of those "Oh, look at how much you actually don't know at all books," and, I think, exactly what I need to be reading now. Further complicates (correctly complicates; removes the kiddie lenses) the prospect of future governmental employment under USAID/DoS FSO/etc. Glad I read it, and I think I should read more Chomsky. I read the bulk of this today (9/11/2022); a really, really good day to do so. Deeper bridges from then -> Arab Spring -> now. SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN.
June 18, 2025
Unfortunately sparse contributions from Said and Clarke.
May 23, 2026
Usual detailing of western hypocrisy and atrocity
February 19, 2026
I finished this book thinking that it was just alright, but a few weeks have passed and I still think about it often. The presentation of information isn’t particularly interesting, but the information presented is crucial to know in this political climate. This book discusses perceived “aggression” through the perspective of international law rather than the perspective of U.S. media, which we are all accustomed to hearing. If you’re looking to learn how to think about conflict from a less biased perspective, I definitely recommend giving this book a read as it is pretty short and incredibly informative!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews