“Anybody that says where they’re going to be in ten years is a schmuck. The world changes. […] So you really do have to go with the punches and it’s bad to predict too far out in advance, you know, where you’re going to be.”

This quote encapsulates Trump’s pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of life and success, underscoring his reliance on adaptability rather than long-term planning. The imagery of “going with the punches” suggests a boxing mentality, an adversarial worldview that aligns with Trump’s strategic maneuvering in both business and in politics.

“If a pistol appears conspicuously in the first act of a play it is there for a reason and will be fired at some point.”

Sullivan’s invocation of “Chekhov’s gun” foreshadows the ominous potential of Russia’s military presence on Ukraine’s border. This metaphor frames the buildup as an inevitable conflict, warning that the amassed force would likely lead to violence. Woodward’s use of Chekhov’s principle here highlights the challenges of international relations, in which symbolic actions often lead to real-world repercussions.

“Putin is probing […] He wants you to negotiate away Ukraine. Essentially, abandon Western support for Ukraine so Russia can take control of it.”

Hill’s statement conveys Putin’s strategy of leveraging intimidation and psychological manipulation to achieve his territorial goals without direct conflict. Her choice of the word “probing” suggests a calculated, predatory approach, as Putin was testing the boundaries of US resolve.