The Neoconservative Movement, often abbreviated as neoconservatism, emerged in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s as a political ideology primarily among intellectuals and former liberals disillusioned with the left's stance on foreign policy and cultural issues. Key figures include Irving Kristol (considered the 'godfather' of neoconservatism), Norman Podhoretz, Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, Jeane Kirkpatrick, and William Kristol, among others. These influential conservatives promoted an interventionist foreign policy emphasizing democracy promotion, military intervention, and opposition to communism and radical Islam. The movement gained significant influence during the Reagan administration and peaked under George W. Bush, shaping policies like the Iraq War. Neoconservatives distinguished themselves from traditional conservatives by prioritizing moral clarity in international affairs over isolationism or realpolitik, while often supporting welfare state elements domestically. The movement's figures have been associated with organizations like the Project for the New American Century and think tanks like the American Enterprise Institute, and have faced controversies over allegations of warmongering and undue influence on policy. Despite declining influence post-Iraq, neocons continue to impact U.S. foreign policy debates, remaining divisive in American politics.