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How the Axis haunts US

REMEMBER the "axis of evil?" Three years after it was first mentioned by President George W. Bush in his State of the Union address in January 2002, it appears to have gathered momentum, each of the three ‘cogs’ are becoming stronger and more threatening.

When President Bush raised the issue it seemed somewhat disproportioned. In what became a much-publicised speech the US president singled out Iraq, Iran and North Korea as deserving extra recognition for their "evilness" and their desire to become nuclear powers. Based on intelligence that Iraq’s then strongman, Saddam Hussein, was harbouring weapons of mass destruction, the United States went to war.

The intelligence, as we found out proved false. Iraq, which at the time did not represent a threat to the national security of the United States, was invaded and Saddam was deposed. Not that Saddam deserves tears being shed over his removal from power; power he grossly abused.

The intelligence on Saddam’s links to Al Qaeda was also poor. There were no links between Saddam and Bin Laden. But now, you can safely bet that links between former Baathists and international terrorists in Iraq do exist. The country has turned into a magnet, attracting all ilk of anti-Americanism, from international Islamists to Arab nationalists.

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian national, is leading the anti-US campaign in Iraq, as Al Qaeda’s personal representative. His men appear able to freely roam the country, attacking US and Iraqis.

Notwithstanding Saddam’s ruthlessness and complete disregard for human life, three years ago Iraq should not have been included in the "axis of evil." At that time Al Qaeda operatives would have been unable to cross the street without Saddam’s approval.

Given the intensity and cadence of terror attacks in Iraq today, targeting both Iraqis and Americans, the country now represents one of the sturdiest cogs in the axis of evil.

Iran is seen by Washington as the second cog in the "axis of evil." If the situation in Iran could be color-coded, like the Homeland Security’s domestic threat assessment system, it would be turning from amber to a glowing bright red.

Much to the chagrin of the West, Teheran has all but admitted it intends to join the elite nuclear club. It is only a matter of time before the Islamic republic develops nuclear weapons, or in the very least, the capacity to produce them. Teheran is just steps away from acquiring those WMD that were being sought ... in Iraq.

Europe’s "big three" — Britain and France and Germany — have been playing the "good cop" in a joint Euro-US effort aimed at convincing Iran to drop its nuclear ambitions. The Europeans however, are beginning to realise that negotiations will fail to stop Teheran from enriching its uranium, allowing Iran to manufacture weapons grade nuclear material.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair hinted it might be time to bring in the "bad cop," the United States. From the start of the crisis, the US has viewed Iran’s nuclear programme with suspicion. Blair said he would consider UN sanctions against Iran if Teheran went ahead with its threat to continue work on its nuclear programme. "We certainly will support referral to the UN Security Council if Iran breeches its undertakings and obligations," said Blair.

France, Britain and Germany have offered Iran incentives — both political and economic — to drop its uranium enrichment programme. But now more than a year since the talks have started, the Europeans are frustrated with little or no progress to show for it. On the contrary, Iran last month said it would inform the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency about its plans to pursue uranium conversion.

Teheran insists it only aspires to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, not to build a bomb. Blair said diplomacy could still work, and it is premature to consider military options.

Did he say military options? The very fact Blair made reference to "military options" is indication enough the idea is on the table — or at least lingering somewhere underneath it.

Want to strengthen ‘axis of evil’ cog number two? Deploy the military option. Think Iraq is bad? See what happens when Iranian nationalism kicks in.

Now the Cog number three in the ‘axis of evil.’ Talk about evil empires. The reclusive, megalomaniac Kim Jong-il of North Korea who is having a hard time feeding his people, wants to become a nuclear power.

The typically reclusive nation’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it had successfully removed 8,000 spent fuel rods from a nuclear power station in Yongbyon, in fact admitting it has "been taking steps to increase our nuclear arsenal."

North Koreans might go to bed hungry at night, but at least they can be proud to know their supreme leader can kick off a nuclear war anytime he wants. Talk about prestige.