Axis of evil
The phrase axis of evil was first used by Estmerish prime minister Reginald Wilton-Smyth in his New Year's address on 1 January 2020. It was frequently used by Wilton-Smyth and members of his government in addition to the Estmerish press. The phrase was used to describe the governments of Xiaodong and Zorasan for their opposition to liberal democracy, repression of human rights, support terrorism, and obtain weapons of mass destruction outside of international conventions. Historically, the two nations have formed the Rongzhuo-Zahedan Axis for decades and have maintained close ties. The goal of establishing this axis was to make it clear who the common enemies of Estmere and its allies were and to rally support among the Estmerish population and democratic governments for Wilton-Smyth's anti-ROSPO agenda.
Background
Reginald Wilton-Smyth became prime minister in June 2019. A month later, the Estmere-Zorasan Crisis began following the assassination of Assad Erekat, a former Zorasani MP and critic of the Zorasani government on 6 July in Kennford. Tensions between the two countries continued to escalated as international governments declared support. This culminated in a naval confrontation on 15 July in which Estmerish frigates violated Zorasani territorial waters and were confronted by the Zorasani Irfanic Revolutionary Navy.
As the Tsabaran Crisis continued to unfold, the influence of the radical Irfanic Sheik Faizan Salah grew. Salah was backed by prominent voices within Zorasan. The death of Tsabaran president Atwan al-Tughluq accelerated the crisis and attempts by then-premier Yayha al-Aboud to consolidate power. This was denounced by northern governments, including Estmere. Several majority Atudite provinces threatened secession of al-Aboud's attempt to circumvent the constitution. His suspensions of the constitution and implementation of marshal law worsened tensions between the Irfanic and Atudite communities Supporters of Nazim al-Qutayni, a powerful government minister, resulted in al-Aboud's deposition. However, Irfanic hardliners opposed the coup that installed al-Qutayni as acting president.
In an attempt to cause the collapse of al-Qutayni's interim unity government, a terrorist group called Al-Isbah launced a series of terrorist attacks, in Yeruham, Tsabara's largest city. 197 people were killed and 398 were injured. The attacks were denounced by the international community, with Wilton-Smyth calling them "an attack on the civilized world itself".