In the 2020s, the rogue nation script has evolved. While still used (e.g., labeling North Korea and Iran), new competitors like Russia and China are rarely called "rogue" due to their size and power. Instead, terms like "revisionist powers" or "strategic competitors" have emerged. Meanwhile, the script has been appropriated by other states—for instance, Russian state media sometimes labels the U.S. as the "global rogue." This diffusion shows that while the script originated in Washington, narrative tools can be weaponized by multiple actors.
The "rogue nation script" is far more than a casual epithet. It is a structured political narrative that defines certain states as illegitimate, irrational, and dangerous, thereby justifying exceptional measures against them. While it provides a cognitive shortcut for policymakers and publics, it suffers from selectivity, counterproductive effects, and a lack of legal grounding. Understanding this script is essential for any analyst of international relations, because the power to name a "rogue" is, in many ways, the power to shape global conflict itself.
The Rogue Nation Script: Origins, Characteristics, and Geopolitical Functions