The centre of gravity of ‘Axis of Evil 2.0’ shifts eastwards (Opinion)
Kim Jong-un arrives in Russia, his first time in four years, to meet with Russia's leader and discuss mutual areas of cooperation. (Photo: KCNA)
Russia might be at the tip of the spear in terms of authoritarian aggression, but it has plenty of backers in the shape of countries like China, Iran and North Korea. Others, like India, try to duplicitously sit on the fence.
President George W. Bush coined the term 'Axis of Evil’ in 2002, a reference to Iran, Iraq and North Korea. Of course, the term was designed to rally the American and international public in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The world has moved on since then, with the greatest concern now not state sponsors of terrorism but a loose alliance of like-minded authoritarian states united in their hatred of the West and with a desire to usurp international norms.
The core of this truculent cabal is countries like Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.
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