Some Nations Note Saddam's Quick Fall "The rapid collapse of Saddam Hussein's government may have served as a reality check for the remaining states in President Bush's "axis of evil," Iran and North Korea. North Korea now says multilateral talks about its nuclear program -- which the United States wants -- are not a bad idea after all. Iran's former president, long allied with Islamic hardliners against the "Great Satan" America, is advocating a referendum on renewing ties with the United States."