Referential inscrutability and ambiguity in speeches can create challenges for interpreters and potentially contribute to miscommunication between speakers, interpreters, and audiences. When speakers, especially prominent figures like presidents and scholars, employ vague or unclear language, it can be difficult for interpreters to accurately convey the intended meaning to the audience. Miscommunication can occur due to several reasons, including the use of ambiguous terms, metaphors, or allusions, cultural nuances that require navigating differences between languages, technical jargon that demands subject matter expertise for accurate translation, and the intentional use of ambiguous language for political manipulation. However, the consequences of miscommunication caused by referential inscrutability and ambiguity rarely lead directly to war. The path from miscommunication to armed conflict is typically influenced by a multitude of factors beyond interpreting errors alone. Mitigating factors that can help prevent miscommunication from escalating into armed conflict include fact-checking and verification by responsible media outlets and government officials, diplomatic channels and negotiations that provide opportunities for clarification and addressing miscommunication, international institutions and norms that promote dialogue and adherence to diplomatic protocols, and lessons from historical conflicts that inform strategies for mitigating risks associated with interpreting errors and improving communication mechanisms. Resolving conflicts and preventing war require multifaceted approaches that consider the broader geopolitical context, historical factors, and the actions of various stakeholders.