#us

Democratic leaders, whose power is ultimately dependent on popular support, are held accountable for failing to improve the lives of their citizens. Therefore, they have a powerful incentive to keep their societies peaceful and prosperous. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#citizens #democratic #democratic leaders #dependent #failing

I am optimistic that peace can be achieved in the region because I believe that every society on earth can be free and that if freedom comes to the Middle East, there can be peace. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#am #because #believe #comes #earth

I have no doubt that given a real choice, the vast majority of Muslims and Arabs, like everyone else will choose a free society over a fear society. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#choice #choose #doubt #else #everyone

It is not surprising, then, that in the decade since Oslo began, Arafat used all the resources placed at his disposal to fan the flames of hatred against Israel. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#arafat #began #decade #disposal #fan

My optimism is not based primarily on the successful march of democracy in recent times but rather is based on the experience of having lived in a fear society and studied the mechanics of tyranny that sustain such a society. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#democracy #experience #fear #having #lived

The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. For today, the dictator may be your friend, but tomorrow he will need you as an enemy. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#deterrence #dictator #enemy #friend #made

The central premise behind Oslo was that if Arafat were given enough legitimacy, territory, weapons and money, he would use his power to fight terror and make peace with Israel. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#behind #central #enough #fight #given

The three main sources of scepticism are first, that not every people desires freedom; second, that democracy in certain parts of the world would be dangerous; and third, that there is little the world's democracies can do to advance freedom outside their countries. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#certain #countries #dangerous #democracies #democracy

This scepticism is the same scepticism I heard a generation ago in the USSR when few thought that a democratic transformation behind the iron curtain was possible. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#behind #curtain #democratic #few #generation

To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace - or at least a genuine peace - the link between the nature of a regime and its external behavior must be understood. ↗

— Natan Sharansky

#between #dictators #external #genuine #least