A movement that had a major influence on U.S. foreign policy in the first decade of the twenty-first century, following the terrorists attacks of 9/11. Neoconservatives, or neocons as they were known, advocated an aggressive policy in which the U.S. would directly intervene in the affairs of other nations, including waging preemptive war, in order to promote U.S. interests and values such as democracy. Neocons favoured military action and were impatient of diplomacy. They believed the U.S. could and should act alone, without waiting for the approval of the United Nations, an organisation they held in low regard. Neocons pushed hard for the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 with the purpose of removing Iraq???s president Saddam Hussein. Neocons also favoured aggressive action to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and exhibited strong support of Israel.