Cabal facts for kids
A cabal is a secret group of people. These groups work together to quietly control things. They often try to gain power without others knowing. Sometimes, a cabal is a big part of a conspiracy theory. This is a belief that a secret group is planning something harmful.
People sometimes joke, "There Is No Cabal." They might use the short form, TINC. The joke is that a truly secret group would never let anyone know it exists. So, if you hear about a cabal, it might not be a secret anymore! Or, it might be a way to say that no such secret group exists.
Cabals in Politics
Sometimes, people in politics are accused of being part of a cabal. This means they are thought to be secretly working together. They might be trying to control decisions behind the scenes. This can happen even if they are not supposed to have that much power.
A Famous Example
A good example comes from the United States. Lawrence Wilkerson was a top helper to Colin Powell. Colin Powell was the Secretary of State. This is a very important job in the government. Wilkerson said that a "Cheney-Rumsfeld cabal" was running things.
Who Was Involved?
This "cabal" supposedly included Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld. Cheney was the Vice President. Rumsfeld was the Secretary of Defense. These are both powerful positions.
What Did It Mean?
Wilkerson believed this secret group had too much influence. He thought they were making big decisions. This was happening even more than the President, George W. Bush, was. He felt they had more power than the constitution allowed them. This idea suggests that a small, secret group was controlling the country's foreign policy.
