But the issue today is different: politicians are using vague rhetoric less because their policies are fundamentally indefensible than because they fear having to defend any position at all. While there are myriad reasons for this reticence, when it comes to international relations, two stand out.
在某种程度上，奥威尔的观察今天仍然成立。但今天的问题有所不同：政客使用模糊的言辞，这与其说是因为他们的政策从根本上站不住脚，不如说是因为他们害怕不得不为任何立场辩护。这种缄默有各种原因，，但在国际关系问题上，有两个原因特别突出。