"But the truth of the matter is, we're an open society, we want to remain an open society, and there will continue to be vulnerability. That's why we have to meet the threats when they are not yet taking place on our territory and on our soil"

This quote by Condoleezza Rice speaks with the importance of remaining an open society while also understanding potential dangers. Rice is stressing the requirement to be proactive in attending to threats before they reach our soil. She is acknowledging that, as an open society, we will constantly be vulnerable to specific hazards, but that we should take actions to alleviate those threats. This implies being alert and taking action to avoid hazards from becoming reality. Rice is likewise stressing the value of worldwide cooperation in order to successfully deal with these threats. By working together, we can guarantee that our open society stays safe and protected.