Difference between revisions of "Axis of Evil"
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| − | The '''Axis of Evil''' was mentioned in [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]]'s State of the Union address on January 28th, 2002. The Axis of Evil was a reference to the governments of [[Iran]], [[Iraq]] and [[North Korea]]. | + | ==George W. Bush's "Axis of Evil"== |
| + | The '''Axis of Evil''' was mentioned in [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]]'s State of the Union address on January 28th, 2002. The Axis of Evil was a reference to the governments of [[Iran]], [[Iraq]] and [[North Korea]]. The "Axis of Evil" speech used, as the [[New York Times]] noted, "a word once used to describe the alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II."<ref>Sanger, David E (2002), "Bush, Focusing on [[Terrorism]], says Secure U.S. is Top Priority"; ''The New York Times,'' January 30, 2002, p. A1</ref> However, Iraq, Iran and North Korea were not allies; in fact at the time of his speech Iraq and Iran's governments were bitter enemies (which is not to say that they weren't "evil"). | ||
| − | + | Europeans objected to the speech as having a combative tone, and felt that Bush was issuing [[military]] threats to the three nations he named.<ref>Daley, Suzanne (200), "The Allies," January 31, 2002, p. A12</ref>. Bush aides insisted, however, that Bush "was not suggesting imminent military activity" against any of the countries.<ref>Sanger, David E. "Bush Aides Say Tough Tone Put Foes on Notice" January 31, 2002, p. A1</ref> | |
| − | + | However, since the 2002 State of the Union the [[United States]] has consistently pursed these states with success. [[North Korea]] has now been removed from the Axis of Evil after giving into demands to destroy its [[nuclear]] facilities<ref>http://www.newsweek.com/id/144031</ref>. | |
| − | + | "Our goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor [[terror]] from threatening [[America]] or our friends and allies with [[weapons of mass destruction]]. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since [[September the 11th]]. But we know their true nature. North Korea is a [[Communist|regime]] arming with [[nuclear weapons|missiles]] and weapons of mass destruction, while [[starvation|starving]] its [[citizen]]s. | |
| − | + | Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an [[oligarchy|unelected few]] repress the Iranian people's hope for [[freedom]]. | |
| − | [[ | + | |
| − | The President's speech has been proven to be remarkably prescient. [[Iran]] is widely suspected of pursuing a nuclear weapons program, while claiming its nuclear program is for peaceful means. The invasion of [[Iraq]] and overthrow of the Baathist regime has neutralized one of the three Axis of Evil members and prevented weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of [[Saddam Hussein]]. | + | Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi [[dictatorship|regime]] has plotted to develop [[anthrax]], and [[nerve gas]], and [[nuclear weapons]] for over a decade. This is a regime that has already used [[poison gas]] to murder thousands of its own citizens—leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. This is a regime that agreed to international inspections—then kicked out the inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world. |
| + | |||
| + | States like these, and their [[terrorist]] allies, constitute an '''axis of evil''', arming to threaten the [[peace]] of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their [[hatred]]. They could attack our allies or attempt to [[blackmail]] the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic." --[[George W. Bush]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | The President's speech has been proven to be remarkably [[prescient]]. [[Iran]] is widely suspected of pursuing a nuclear weapons program, while claiming its nuclear program is for peaceful means. The invasion of [[Iraq]] and overthrow of the [[Baathist]] regime has neutralized one of the three Axis of Evil members and prevented weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of [[Saddam Hussein]]. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| − | *[[Outposts of Tyranny]] | + | * [[Outposts of Tyranny]] |
| − | *[[Rogue state]] | + | * [[Rogue state]] |
| + | * [[Iraq]] | ||
| + | * [[Iran]] - [[Jihad]] [[theocracy]] [[dictatorship]] | ||
| + | * [[North Korea]] - [[Communist]] [[dictatorship]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<small><references/></small> | <small><references/></small> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:United States History]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Asian History]] | ||
| + | [[Category:United States Political Terms]] | ||
Revision as of 05:25, April 15, 2014
George W. Bush's "Axis of Evil"
The Axis of Evil was mentioned in President George W. Bush's State of the Union address on January 28th, 2002. The Axis of Evil was a reference to the governments of Iran, Iraq and North Korea. The "Axis of Evil" speech used, as the New York Times noted, "a word once used to describe the alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II."[1] However, Iraq, Iran and North Korea were not allies; in fact at the time of his speech Iraq and Iran's governments were bitter enemies (which is not to say that they weren't "evil").
Europeans objected to the speech as having a combative tone, and felt that Bush was issuing military threats to the three nations he named.[2]. Bush aides insisted, however, that Bush "was not suggesting imminent military activity" against any of the countries.[3]
However, since the 2002 State of the Union the United States has consistently pursed these states with success. North Korea has now been removed from the Axis of Evil after giving into demands to destroy its nuclear facilities[4].
"Our goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America or our friends and allies with weapons of mass destruction. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since September the 11th. But we know their true nature. North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.
Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom.
Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade. This is a regime that has already used poison gas to murder thousands of its own citizens—leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. This is a regime that agreed to international inspections—then kicked out the inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world.
States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic." --George W. Bush
The President's speech has been proven to be remarkably prescient. Iran is widely suspected of pursuing a nuclear weapons program, while claiming its nuclear program is for peaceful means. The invasion of Iraq and overthrow of the Baathist regime has neutralized one of the three Axis of Evil members and prevented weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of Saddam Hussein.
See also
- Outposts of Tyranny
- Rogue state
- Iraq
- Iran - Jihad theocracy dictatorship
- North Korea - Communist dictatorship
References
- ↑ Sanger, David E (2002), "Bush, Focusing on Terrorism, says Secure U.S. is Top Priority"; The New York Times, January 30, 2002, p. A1
- ↑ Daley, Suzanne (200), "The Allies," January 31, 2002, p. A12
- ↑ Sanger, David E. "Bush Aides Say Tough Tone Put Foes on Notice" January 31, 2002, p. A1
- ↑ http://www.newsweek.com/id/144031
