On January 29, 2002, President George W. Bush delivered a pivotal State of the Union address, where he famously described Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as an “axis of evil” due to their attempts to develop nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons.
In his speech, Bush emphasized that these nations posed a significant threat to global security and stability. He specifically mentioned Iraq’s pursuit of anthrax, nerve gas, and nuclear weapons, Iran’s aggressive development of weapons of mass destruction, and North Korea’s regime arming with missiles and threatening regional stability.
Bush’s “axis of evil” statement marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, highlighting the need for proactive measures to counter the threats posed by these nations. The speech also underscored the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.