The New, Expanded Axis of Evil
In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush coined the term “axis of evil” to describe Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. He highlighted the potential threat posed by these states and their terrorist alliances, emphasizing the danger of them acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Over the years, this concern about arms proliferation to terrorist groups has only intensified.
He went on to say: “States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, aiming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States.”
His point about the Axis providing arms to terrorists has certainly grown in volume and financial support and is so true today.
Much has changed since President Bush’s tenure, including the Axis. It is no longer relatively small, failed, tyrannical states. The Axis includes more countries with larger economies, bigger militaries and, worst of all, expansionist visions.
One thing that hasn’t changed: All the Axis powers, and many of their aligned countries, are run by strong-man authoritarians who are largely insulated from being ousted by the public for their actions. Without Saddam Hussein, Iraq isn’t quite the same problem.
Focusing on Iran, that theocracy that has played a central role in destabilizing the Middle East, particularly with its progress toward 90% uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons development. Recent policy shifts, including the removal of economic sanctions by the current administration, have raised unanswered questions about the effectiveness of appeasement.
Flush with newfound resources, Iran has increased its support of various terror groups, using them as proxies in conflicts that extend to attacks on Israel and U.S. outposts. From the get-go, this administration has exercised its policy of appeasement with the Iranian regime. That policy hasn’t worked.
Now flush with cash compared previous years, Iran has created and supported numerous terror groups in the Middle East. Most recently those groups have become the proxies of Iran in attacking Israel and U.S. outposts in the region. Where do we think those proxies are getting their arms and missiles? Everyone knows it, particularly Russia and China.
In addition to supplying armed drones and missiles to its Middle East proxies, it’s supplying Russia with drones and selling ammunition and oil to China.
The current administration attempted to incur economic sanctions on Russia in response to its war with Ukraine which have miserably failed. Being oil and gas rich itself, Russia has maintained its huge markets for its fossil fuel resources in Europe and elsewhere.
So, why the hesitation to re-impose economic sanctions on, and ‘de-fang’ Iran?
A major part of the U.S. problem is this administration’s bent on eliminating fossil fuels. Immediately following its assumption of the White House, this administration seen to it the U.S. became once again dependent on foreign oil. Re-imposing economic sanctions on Iran now would significantly reduce their oil sales, but in doing so it would increase even further the price of oil on the world markets – and commensurately on the already elevated inflationary pressure being experienced in this country. The old question remains: “Will you cut off your nose to save your face?”
EU countries that initially imposed some sanctions against Russia have been backing off for the same reasons – dependence on oil. Hungary killed the latest attempt by EU countries to continue those sanctions.
While immediately totally supporting Israel going after Hamas in the Gaza Strip after its genocide of Israelis/Jews last October 7, this country’s stance has softened to now echo some of the shouts for an indefinite cease fire there. At the same time, radical academics have become outspoken about their antisemitism and their students and recent alumni have taken to the streets in support of Iran-backed Hamas.
Those who would suggest our foreign policy is a jumbled mess now are ‘right on.’
We’re supporting a regime in Ukraine fraught with past and likely ongoing corruption and not an ally – and questioning our support for our only Middle East ally, Israel. President Biden’s major outspoken reason for Ukrainian support was to unseat Putin as president of Russia. If anyone who thought that was going to happen, and still will, is invited to place a nonrefundable escrowed bid on buying the Brooklyn Bridge. The chances of owning that span over the East River are the same as Putin being defrocked.
The 2024 version of the Axis of Evil is an addition of even more formidable enemies, perceiving the United States as weak. They’re not wrong. The nation’s perceived political divisions and the reluctance to present a unified front contribute to this perception. The challenge extends to recruiting enough military personnel, replenish the arms and ammo we’ve sent to Ukraine and Israel, and allocating sufficient funds to face the growing threats to the United States.
Understanding the multifaceted nature of global relationships and the evolving dynamics of the Axis of Evil is crucial for the United States to navigate and address emerging challenges effectively.
It’s a good thing that this is an election year. We have the choice of re-growing a backbone.
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SPIDER Bites
This week’s trivia question is: What 1927 film effectively ended the silent movie era by introducing synchronized talking and singing? The answer to last week’s question re: Which chemical has atomic number 1: Hydrogen. Remembering your high school chemistry, hydrogen has the symbol H. It’s the lightest element with 1 proton and 1 neuron. Our sun gets its heat from hydrogen fusion turning it into helium.
In filming a new National Geographic film series titled Pole to Pole with Will Smith, a team of scientists have discovered a new species of anaconda in the Amazon. Dubbing it the northern green anaconda, the female snake can be 24 feet long and weigh 500 pounds. Want a new pet?
There are 3 levels of charging stations for EVs. Level 1 is the home charger using 120 volts with charge times of around 10 hours. Level 2 uses 220 volts and takes about 8 hours. Level 3 uses 440 volts with a charging time of about 4 hours. The battery type and size dictate the voltage it will accommodate, and the time required. The bigger the battery the more time required. Commercial charging stations generally use the Levels 2 & 3 Level versions, and while the cost to the customer will vary dependent on the cost/kilowatt hour charged by the power plant/company (highest in CA), on average commercial stations charge about $7.50/hour for their plugs-ins use. Level 1 is the least overall cost for a full charge. BTW, hybrids use a much smaller battery with a range of about 40 miles, but charging can take as little as between 2 hours to 15 minutes.
Well, let’s see. Reporting on the President’s annual physical, WH Dr. Kevin O’Connor said: “The President feels well, and this year’s physical identified no new concerns. He continues to be fit for duty and fully executes all his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.” He added a cognitive test just wasn’t necessary. However, in early February, DOJ Special Counsel Robert Hur, in reporting finding evidence that the President mishandled classified documents at his home and elsewhere, declined to bring charges because he thought the President’s mental acuity and faulty memory would garner sympathy from any jury. Got it? Yes, it works both ways.
Oh, The President visited the border at quiet, now razor-wire protected Brownsville, TX Thursday. Illegal immigrants are now called “newcomers.”
A Chicago cop is suing the city for not being allowed to change his race. The suit claims people can change their gender under city guidelines, so ergo, people should be allowed to change their race. What times do we live in where it’s an individual choice to replace innate reality – while being regarded and accepted as normal and sane?
A student riot broke out U. of C Berkley last week when an Israeli soldier was scheduled to speak. The speaker was evacuated out a back door for safety’s sake. Pro-Hamas, anti-Jewish riots? Where does this radicalism come from? And on supposedly free-debate university campuses?
The threat of another government shutdown was averted Thursday, delayed until this week. How many times a year does this happen? Whoopie! for some, I guess. Me, I say shut it down – save me the drama.
Ocala made the top ten best places to retire in Florida last week. Don’t tell anybody.
Actress Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Academy Award on Feb. 29, 1940. She won the Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in the film “Gone With The Wind.”
