Or perhaps it's an attempt to distance themselves from their hosts and former Axis allies.

NPR: What's In a Nickname? The Answer Is in the Cup

Even neutral countries, however, participated quietly on one side or the other, Spain and Switzerland closer to the Axis Powers, and the others helping the Allies.

FORBES: Meditation On A Shrinking Planet

During the war Germany, Italy and Japan were known as the Axis Powers and Britain, France and America were called the Allies.

BBC: CBBC - Newsround - World War II quiz

The Sunni monarchy of Saudi Arabia is among the most prominent countries backing the Syrian opposition, while the Shiite Islamic republic across the Persian Gulf casts itself and its allies in Damascus as part of an "Axis of Resistance" to domination of the region by outsiders.

CNN: Syria expected to dominate Islamic summit

President Bush should be commended, not assailed, for having identified North Korea as one of the members of the "Axis of Evil" that threatens the security of the United States, its allies and interests around the world.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: North Korean scorecard

Still, he risks completely undermining the credibility of his effort to address effectively the Axis of Evil and the role they play in the war on terror if he embraces suggestions from allies in the region and beyond that the latest revelations justify a redoubling of Carteresque appeasement of North Korea.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: albright_nk