Inventing the Axis of Evil: The Truth About North Korea, Iran, and Syria

by Bruce Cumings, Ervand Abrahamian, Moshe Maoz

Three renowned experts set the record straight on the countries caught in the crosshairs of the Bush Administration . "Allow the President to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion...and you allow him to make war at pleasure." —Abraham Lincoln The Bush administration has thus far left little doubt regarding its intentions for the unfortunate countries that compose the so-called "Axis of Evil." It has already disposed of Iraq, while North Korea and Iran ignore US threats at their peril. The same goes for Syria, the object of an intense propaganda campaign in the waning days of Operation Iraqi Freedom—when it was reported that contingency plans for war with Damascus were under review. Yet Americans know very little about these three "evil" countries beyond what the Pentagon has told them. In Axis of Evil , noted experts on each country set the record straight, confronting relentless fear-mongering with hard facts. The authors explore each country's history and internal politics alongside the spotty record of past US interventions—including the war in Korea and the CIA-sponsored overthrow of Iran's elected prime minister in 1953. While entertaining no illusions about these despotic regimes, Axis of Evil demonstrates that the whole truth is more complicated.

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, Iran, American, American History, Middle East

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

A specialist in the history of Korea, Bruce Cumings is the Gustavus F. and Ann M. Swift Distinguished Service Professor in History, and former chair of the history department at the University of Chicago.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

three fairly short essays, all by different academics with slightly different focuses (especially the essay on Syria). The essay on North Korea highlighted the hypocrisy of the US in its advancement into North Korea, as well as giving a timeline of events regarding the US’s suspicion of nuclear weapons and its political significance. I found the essay on Iran to also be very informative.. I’d like to read more about the Middle East and its history, especially with regards to US imperialism. The essay on Iran also touched on its supposed nuclear weapons as well as its relationship with the US, with a particular focus on its politics up until the infamous ‘axis of evil’ speech.

[Lil Mike]

I decided to read this when the "msm" began ramping up the hype to invade Iran & Syria while chest beating after our "success" in the Iraq conflict. This book is basically independent essays on the top "evil empires" GW Bush and his advisors were supposedly eager to take out. Aside from what the war salesmen down at the Pentagon and in the White House offer, most folks in the U.S know very little about the actual geopolitical roles or histories of these unique nation states. Instead of merely throwing out a bunch of sensationalist scare tactics, one can get at least some basic overview of the faces & factions within these countries, and perhaps why they are perceived as problems to certain western interests. The book is not exactly thorough, but obviously doesn't seem like that was the intention... it's a primer into these countries positions & peoples, and a useful tool for research & opinion purposes.

[Dominic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a book by Bruce, it's more of a current affairs type of deal than history. Good update.