Other
Viewpoints
Bush's 'Axis of Evil' Doctrine
Tokyo Asahi Shimbun (liberal), Feb. 1: President Bush’s State of the Union address was couched in the disturbingly tough, hard-line rhetoric that harkened back to the Cold War era....But Iran and North Korea, if not Iraq, have supported the United States in the war on terrorism, although with considerable restraint. Polls show Bush’s speech went down well with American voters. But there is considerable doubt on whether his speech helped his standing in the international community.
Cairo Al-Ahram al-Messai (state-owned), Feb. 13: One is surprised at the number of times U.S. President Bush used the term “war” in his recent State of the Union address, and even more surprised at the applause he received every time....That the entire U.S. administration has gone astray augurs badly for the entire world, which could be transformed into a huge battle zone.
—Mohammed Wahib al-Sayed
Jakarta Kompas (independent), Feb. 13: When Bush stated the “axis of evil”...on Jan. 29, people were stunned. Bush’s choice of words...[is] regarded as overreactive, unnecessary, and improper....Bush’s accusation against Iran, Iraq, and North Korea is counterproductive to efforts to create global cooperation against terrorism.
Kingston Jamaica Gleaner (centrist), Feb. 14: The United States increasingly appears to be taking the position that whoever is not for us is against us. In times like these, there are friends, and there are enemies....The danger is that the United States may create enemies for itself where before only strangers were present.
—John Rapley
Karachi Daily Jang (pro-government), Feb. 13: American President Bush’s pronouncement terming Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as an “axis of evil” is simply dangerous. He has clearly stated that it is the historic responsibility of the United States to protect justice and security in the world and to play a leading role to this effect. Western European states will resist the U.S. operation only to some extent, as they also have their designs of economic hegemony over Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The difference is only on the share of plunder.
—Zahida Hina
Amman The Star (English-language weekly), Feb. 9: There is a morbid sense of impending disaster sweeping the Middle East following last week’s bombastic speech by President Bush, in which he drummed up support for a long war against terrorism and what he termed as an axis of evil....It now appears that the United States will act unilaterally if need be in the next phase of its open-ended war on terror and “evil.” Its European allies have been left out of the latest deliberations as the United States redraws the basic foundations of its foreign policy.
—Osama El Sherif 
