Francis Fukuyama's analysis explained what neoconservatism stood for during its earliest incarnation, arguing that four common principles characterized the neoconservative movement up until the end of the Cold War, contributing to the understanding of the movement.

Francis Fukuyama was a signatory of a neoconservative letter to Bill Clinton, indicating prior support for the movement, but later renounced his support for neoconservatism, feeling it over-emphasized the use of force and marginalized diplomacy.

Was a signatory of a neocon letter addressed to President Bill Clinton, implying lobbying efforts.

Actions carried out by the Bush administration were enough to make Francis Fukuyama renounce his support for neoconservatism.

Discussed the Bush administration's belief that the threat of nuclear-armed terrorists legitimized regime change and rejected Westphalian sovereignty.

Wolfowitz mentored Fukuyama beginning in the late 1960s when Wolfowitz was a Yale professor and board member of the Telluride Association where Fukuyama lived as a Cornell undergraduate. Fukuyama later interned for Wolfowitz at the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency in the mid-1970s, followed him to the State Department during the first Reagan administration, and was recruited by Wolfowitz to SAIS when Wolfowitz became dean. Their 35-year relationship ended after the Iraq War when Fukuyama publicly criticized the Bush administration's foreign policy, and the two have not spoken since.