The Fourth and Final Axis of Evil Analysis
Recently, I was at a seminar in the Netherlands where I met a young Israeli diplomat who thought one of Israel’s biggest external perception challenges was that the country was seen as under-developed. It was a polite and small gathering, but with a fascination for the perceptions of nations, I couldn’t help suggest that it was Israel’s policy towards Palestine, rather than the fact that people thought Israelis were tent dwelling, camel riders that may be impacting how people saw the nation – and in fact may have a greater impact on Israel’s long term security. Having worked for the British government in Iraq, I know that no matter how much you window-dress a situation – it’s the reality of the policy (and action) that dominates the narrative – and what you will be judged on.
I share this anecdote because I am still swirling in a sea of shock and concern having examined the fourth and final part to my ongoing Axis of Evil survey. I have already shared readers’ thoughts on Iraq, Iran and North Korea – but in this last installment, I look at the responses of readers when offered the chance to speculate on which nations they thought were “evil” in today’s world. They didn’t hold back. The perceptions of the nations concerned were astonishing. Knives were drawn.
Defining Evil
Some readers asked me to define “evil”. I deliberately didn’t. As George Bush didn’t when he announced the evil threea decade ago. The fact is, I don’t really believe in it. I agree with the 7 per cent of respondents who said there was really no such thing as an out-and-out “evil” country. The questionnaire was set up to challenge prejudices and alert people to the propaganda of leaders (in particular Bush) and how you might be influenced by them – and, as it turns out – by the media too. But an overwhelming majority came straight out with naming and shaming places as being purely, greatly of simply “evil”. In fairness, many people went into detail to define evil acts or the reasons for their choices. But not all.
Categories: Politics