Etymology
Widely believed to be coined by U.S. President
Bill Clinton and popularized by his Presidential successor
George W. Bush in reference to the regime of
Saddam Hussein. Use of the term dates back to 1925.
Noun
regime change
- An overthrow of a government that is considered an illegitimate regime by external force (especially military might), and its replacement with a new government according to the concept of political legitimacy promoted by that force.
- A war promoting such a change.