Why Russia and China have been added to Republicans’ new ‘axis of evil’
Retrieved on:
Saturday, December 30, 2023
He used it to legitimise both the invasion of Iraq and the ensuing “war on terror”.
Key Points:
- He used it to legitimise both the invasion of Iraq and the ensuing “war on terror”.
- Bush’s axis of evil included Iraq, Iran and North Korea.
Clear and present danger?
- First, the distinction between original axis countries, including long-standing US adversaries North Korea and Iran, and new additions China and Russia.
- But during the Bush era, neither was regarded as constituting either the remote or proximate threat of that first axis.
- Second, the perceived threat to the US arising from associations between each of the four members is uneven.
- These links only become unpalatable, and worthy of including in an axis, when nations step over a particular line.
- Neither Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008 nor Crimea in 2014 saw it consigned to a newfound axis of evil.
Why revive the axis?
- For supporters of the approach, the new axis provides policymakers with a convenient who’s who of adversaries.
- Assuming all four present a similar danger to the US, it gives a likely challenger for the presidency the chance to point at President Joe Biden’s foreign policy shortcomings.
- The revival of the “axis” appears to be largely coming from Republicans, currently in charge of Congress, rather than the White House.
Amelia Hadfield does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.