“We’re especially not going to tolerate these attacks from outlaw states run by the strangest collection of misfits, looney tunes, and squalid criminals since the advent of the Third Reich.”
This fiery statement was not an idle threat. President Ronald Reagan delivered these words to the American Bar Association on July 8, 1985. The speech came during a tense period of the Cold War. Furthermore, it followed a series of high-profile terrorist attacks. Reagan’s message was clear and direct. He intended to signal a major shift in U.S. foreign policy. The United States would no longer passively endure state-sponsored terrorism. Instead, it would actively confront the nations behind it.
The Spark: Terrorism in the 1980s
To understand Reagan’s harsh words, we must look at the events of the time. The 1980s saw a significant rise in international terrorism. Various groups, often with state backing, targeted American citizens and interests abroad. The month before Reagan’s speech was particularly brutal. In June 1985, Hezbollah militants hijacked TWA Flight 847. They held dozens of passengers hostage for over two weeks and murdered a U.S. Navy diver. This event shocked the American public. Consequently, it put immense pressure on the Reagan administration to act decisively.
Reagan’s speech directly addressed this growing threat. He identified a specific group of nations as the primary culprits. He labeled them a “confederation of terrorist states.” Although he did not name all of them in that specific speech, administration officials frequently pointed to five key countries. These were Iran, Libya, North Korea, Cuba, and Nicaragua. Reagan believed these nations actively funded, trained, and armed terrorist organizations. Therefore, he saw them as direct adversaries of the United States and the free world.
Analyzing the Powerful Language
Reagan was known as “The Great Communicator” for a reason. He chose his words carefully for maximum impact. Describing foreign leaders as “misfits, looney tunes, and squalid criminals” was highly undiplomatic. However, it was incredibly effective for a domestic audience. It dehumanized the enemy and framed the conflict in simple, moral terms. This was a battle of good versus evil. There was no room for nuance or negotiation. This black-and-white worldview was a hallmark of Reagan’s rhetoric.
The comparison to the “Third Reich” was the most potent part of the quote. By invoking the memory of Nazi Germany, Reagan elevated the threat of terrorism to an existential level. He equated these “outlaw states” with one of history’s most monstrous regimes. This comparison served to justify a more aggressive and preemptive foreign policy. It suggested that appeasement was not an option. Indeed, he argued that forceful action was a moral necessity to prevent a greater catastrophe.
The Reagan Doctrine and Its Legacy
The quote perfectly encapsulated the core of the Reagan Doctrine. Source This policy centered on actively supporting anti-communist and anti-totalitarian movements worldwide. It also involved confronting nations that supported terrorism and Soviet interests. The speech signaled that the U.S. would not hesitate to use its power. It would challenge these “outlaw states” directly. This approach marked a departure from the more cautious policies of previous administrations.
This hardline stance had lasting consequences. It laid the groundwork for future U.S. actions, including the 1986 bombing of Libya in response to a nightclub attack in Berlin. Moreover, the concept of “outlaw” or “rogue states” became a permanent fixture in American foreign policy discourse. Subsequent administrations, from George H.W. Bush to Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, would use similar language. The idea of an “Axis of Evil,” for example, draws directly from the rhetorical tradition Reagan established with this powerful 1985 speech.
In summary, Reagan’s