Just what, exactly, defines a "rogue nation"?

[theHandpuppet]

I just heard Katie Couric reading the news headlines in which Iran was described as a "rogue nation". Is that the kissin' cousin of an axis of evil or what?

[magellan]

1. I think technically it means a country that flouts international law

Are you sure she wasn't talking about the US?

[theHandpuppet]

2. Yeah, I had the same thought

Rogue is as rogue does, eh?

[Kutjara]

3. A rogue nation...

...is any country that doesn't kiss America's ass at all times. They fail the "how high" test when we say "jump." They reject our cultural and economic hegemony over their way of life.

They may, for example, disagree with the way our trade policy favors us while penalising them. Now, that's fine. Everyone is entitle to their opinion. The difference is that an "ally" will keep their mouth shut while a "rogue nation" will complain.

Another way to get the "rogue nation" badge is to attempt to carve your own path in the world. There's nothing our government hates more than a country that thinks it cant live without the USA.

The easy way, of course, is just to have a population that is largely Muslim.

[theHandpuppet]

6. Yep, the way that term was being used was SO obvious

Something to the effect of "the Bush adminstration's possible plans to launch an attack against a rogue nation..." Sheesh, they don't even try to hide their propagandizing anymore.

[HughBeaumont]

4. Any nation that's run by corporations

in the same orgy with warmongering, bloodthirsty resource leeches with itchy trigger fingers but packaged and sold to the public by a slippery snake sock-puppet dictator.

Oh wait, that could be US, couldn't it?

[shenmue]

5. I think that means...

"one that doesn't do what we want."

[Bridget Burke]

7. Not "what" but "who"...

That definition is a good excuse for saber rattling. Currently, most "rogue nations" have plenty of oil.

Timing also matters. When the President is revealed as stupid liar, he badly needs to become a "Beloved War President" again.

The President of Iraq likes to rattle his saber too. But his country hasn't done as much damage as the USA.

[Neil Lisst]

8. Afghanistan was a rogue nation under the Taliban.

Iran is being roguish about nuclear energy, since the international community wants them to back away from the uranium.

[drduffy]

9. It's been said already but to iterate: Rogue Nation thy name is US

[paparush]

10. A nation w/ GWB at the healm....oh and a huge stockpile of nukes...

[JNelson6563]

11. Any non-PNAC friendly nation

With us or agin' us and all that.