Do Iraq, Iran, and North Korea truly constitute an Axis of Evil?

• Author: Spencer, Jack
• Position: Worldview

TO LISTEN TO CRITICS of Pres. Bush's "Axis of Evil" speech, you would think he just picked three nations out of a hat. However, the three he named--Iraq, Iran, and North Korea--have earned the description. All boast dictatorial, terrorist regimes that are overtly hostile to U.S. interests. All squander critical national resources to develop weapons of mass destruction, with America as their most probable target. Moreover, although they don't represent an "axis" in the sense that Italy, Japan, and Germany did in World War II, they increasingly cooperate with each other to coordinate their opposition to the U.S. and its ideals of freedom and equality.

Many of America's European friends, as well as South Korea, have taken issue with the President's rhetoric. French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine declares the "axis of evil" designation "simplistic." Christopher Patten, the European Union's Foreign Minister, says it indicates Bush believes "the projection of military power is the only basis for true security." The South Koreans fear Washington is "undercutting years of diplomacy aimed at luring the Stalinist North out of its frightfully armed shell."

Curiously, none argue that Iran, Iraq, and North Korea do not form an axis of evil, but then, how could they? All three aim to destabilize legitimate governments. North Korea has kidnapped thousands of citizens of South Korea and launched a ballistic missile over Japan to demonstrate the prowess of its weaponry. Iraq has used poison gas on its own citizens. Iran, which held Americans hostage for 444 days in 1979-80, funds and supplies a number of terrorist groups from the Persian Gulf to the Holy Land. Any hostility not directed at the U.S. goes toward America's number-one ally in the region and its only democracy--Israel.

Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein can't even utter the word "Israel." Instead, he refers to the nation as a "freak and accursed entity." In recent months, he has pledged to help Palestinian terrorists take on Israel. His threats shouldn't be taken lightly. He fought a bloody eight-year war with Iran, then invaded Kuwait, and continues to threaten Saudi Arabia.

Mohammad Khatami, Iran's democratically elected president, tries to present himself and his country as a force for moderation in the region. However, the clerics of Iran, not Khatami, hold the power, and their hostility to U.S. and Western interests never wavers. The Iranians hate Israel as much as Saddam does, and they put their resources to work to prove it. Israeli commandos intercepted a 50-ton arms...