Axis of Evil

The "Axis of Evil" is a term used by U.S. policymakers in 2002 to describe countries they believed posed a threat because of their potential to develop or use weapons of mass destruction and support terrorism. Specifically, it referred to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. The phrase suggested these nations were part of a group that challenged global security and required urgent diplomatic or military attention. It is a political concept and not an official alliance; it helped shape U.S. foreign policy discussions but also drew criticism for oversimplification and potentially antagonizing these countries.