Analysis of an American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror Book - Assignment Example

Answering 6 questions based on the book "All the Shah's Men" 1. Stephen Kinzer points out that a range of religions have been connected with Iran throughout its history from ancient times to the present Islamic Republic of Iran. Most of the world religions influenced Iranian culture but only the Islam was able to exert a lasting influence on the religious life on Iran. For instance, almost all the important religions of the world influenced Iran throughout its history. The following religious and political leaders influenced the political, religious, and social life of Iran. The teachings of Zoroaster, the founder of the religion Zoroastrianism, include Zoroastrian doctrine of the god- Ahura Mazda, creation, existence, and free will. Mohammed, the prophet of Islam preached his ideas on one and only God, the almighty. Ali Khomeini, an Iranian political leader, had immense influence on religion and Islamic Republic of Iran. He acted the role of a link between politics and religion in Iran. Hussein Khomeini, grandson of the founder of Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini, played a neutral role between religion and politics in Iran. Religious thought and nationalism can be seen as the common factor which binds these individuals together. The teachings of Zoroaster guided Iran to religious tolerance and integration. But the teachings of Mohammed eventually directed Iran to militant nationalism. The influence of Ali Khomeini insisted the government to stick on to the rules set by the religious leaders in Iran. The religious and political ideology put forth by Hussein Khomeini was against the militant nationalism of the religious leaders and it supported the sense of nationhood among Iranians. Stephen Kinzer points out that: “Before great powers take far-reaching decisions that can reshape the world, their leaders normally consider the lessons of history.” (Kinzer xii) the great powers possess the duty to take proper decisions on international affairs. But the overall influence of religion, especially Islam insists Iran to be an Islamic Republic. 2. Stephen Kinzer points out that the role of the Britain in Iran is that of colonial exploitation. They were not in favor of nationalization of oil assets controlled by the British companies. Kinzer points out that: “The wealth that flowed from beneath Iran’s soil played a decisive role in maintaining Britain” (Kinzer 2) the wealth looted from the oil trade helped the British government to monopoly in oil trade but the exploitation badly affected the people of Iran. The exploitation by Britain made Iran poorer; they began to hate the British colonizers, and eventually supported Mossadegh because he was their only hope to restore Iranian independence and dignity. Eventually, the first elected prime minister, who came into power in 1950 decided to nationalize the oil assets in Iran. This provoked the British authorities and they followed to court in Belgium’s International Court. Then Britain reacted further by blocking the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz. This hindered the oil trade and economic growth of Iran. Reza Shah Pahlavi Was the ruler of Iran, belongs to Pahlavi dynasty. Iran gradually changed under his rule and he pushed his country towards development. For instance, he took measures to modernize his country and to secularize politics. Moreover, he took measures to unite the tribal areas and provinces under the direct control of the government. He was forced by the British to abdicate his power in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Shah. 3. The history of Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) begins from the reign of Shah Mozzafar al-Din Shah Qajar in 1901. The agreement helped British company to have an absolute control over Iranian oil reserves for the next 60 years. The resentment toward the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company grew because its aim was to establish a monopoly on the production and sale of Iranian oil. For instance, the Oil production and sale helped Britain to exploit the chance but it badly affected the people of Iran. Most of the people of Iran were living in poverty. Mohammad Mossadegh, who was elected as the prime minister of Iranian, pledged to throw the company from Iran. He was so popular because people considered him more than a political leader. Moreover, he was able to personify the protest of his people through his deeds against AIOC and the British colonialist views. His strength was the support from his people and his weakness- relation with Iran’s communist Tudeh party. In March 1951, the Iranian parliament voted and decided to nationalize the AIOC. Mohammad Mossadegh strongly backed this decision. Kinzer points out that: “British agents began conspiring to overthrow Mossadegh soon after he nationalized the oil company.” (Kinzer 3) the nationalization of the AIOC resulted in the conspiracy by Britain and the dethroning of Mossadegh. The International Court of Justice was called to settle the dispute but the agreement was not satisfactory to Britain and Iran. The tension between the British and the Iranian government eventually resulted in a political coup, which dethroned Mossadegh. 4. The role of the United States is far different from that of the British. The policy of the US on Iran developed in 1950s, which was against the colonial ideas of the British. The US attempted to play the role of an honest negotiator between Iran and Britain. Besides, the aim behind this move was to hinder the spread of communism in Asian countries. Furthermore, President Truman was against gunboat diplomacy of some British arch-colonists. Kinzer points out that: “Besides, the CIA had never overthrown a government, and Truman did not wish to set the precedent.” (Kinzer 3) the United States government and CIA hesitated to mobilize a coup against Iran because they had never overthrown a government. So, Truman decided to resolve the conflict between Britain and Iran through mediation. But this step was difficult for both Truman and Churchill because it was the occasion of elections in the United Kingdom and the United States. Even a single movement without calculation may affect their reputation, and may eventually reflect in the election results. The British authorities decided to launch an armed invasion in Iran, but Truman refused to help them because he was in sympathy with the efforts nationalist movement led by Mossadegh. So, it can be seen that the efforts of mediation by Truman was not so effective. The aim of the British authorities to sustain their monopoly in oil trade, and the policy of Mossadegh to nationalize the oil fields and refineries made the compromise so difficult. So, it is evident that the role of the United States in Iran was that of a negotiator, not as an exploiter. 5. The cold war era initiated dramatic changes in international relations. For instance, in Iran Churchill wanted to sustain Britain’s control on oil resource. In the United States side, Eisenhower’s mindset on the crisis was that of the cold war. He was afraid of the relation between Mossadegh and the USSR. The CIA, which is the central intelligence organization in the United States to collect and analyze information on international affairs, played the crucial role in dethroning Mossadegh. The coup against Mossadegh was successful because retired Iranian army general Fazlollah Zahedi and others actively supported CIA and M16. The coup resulted in far reaching consequences in Iranian politics, economy and society. In the Iranian political scenario, the coup resulted in the repression of National Front opposition and Tudeh party. The political power was concentrated on Shah and his followers. The coup resulted in a gradual growth of Iranian economy. The British government decided to end the oil embargo against Iran and it helped to increase revenue from oil. The development aid and advisors sent by the United States helped to reconstruct the economy. Kinzer points out that: “By violently pushing Iran off the path of democracy in 1953, the United States created a whirlpool of instability from which undreamed- of threats emerged years later.” (Kinzer xxii) the coup badly affected the Iranian society and it helped the anti- American Islamic views to construct a strong foundation in Iran. The coup of 1953 paved the way for Islamic terrorism and the rise of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and eventually the revolution of 1979. 6. Stephen Kinzer points out that, before the coup of 1953, the people of Iran considered the United States as a democratic nation which is capable to understand the nationalistic thoughts of the mass. But after the 1953 coup, their attitude changed to hatred because the Operation Ajax by CIA dethroned the Prime Minister Mossadegh. Kinzer is of the opinion that the US attack on Iran paved the way for the spread of militant nationalism and terrorism in the Middle East. Kinzer points out that: “If the United States had not sent agents to depose Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953, Iran would probably have continued along his path toward full democracy.” (Kinzer x) the coup of 1953 blocked the growth of Iran to a democratic country. Kinzer further adds that, if Mossadegh stayed in power, Iran might have developed into a country with strong democratic foundation. Moreover, the support provided to Mohammad Reza Shah by the United States hindered the growth of Iran for many decades. This incident paved the way for Ayatollah Khomeini to overthrow the monarchy and the growth of Islamic fundamentalism. Kinzer consider this incident as a delayed reaction to the 1953 coup. Moreover, Kinzer argues that there is close relation between 1953 coup and rise of Islamic fundamentalism in central Asia. The alternative approach pointed out by Kinzer was to allow Mossadegh to be the prime minster of Iran. But it may lead to more serious problems in Central Asia because the Former USSR was trying to spread communism in Asia. Besides, Mossadegh tried to seek help from the USSR. It was the time of cold war and an alliance between Iran and USSR may lead to serious political problems in Asia. So, I cannot agree with Kinzer. In addition, it helped to hinder the growth of communism in the cold war era. If the influence of the USSR and communism spread to other Asian countries, Europe and eventually to the United States, the whole world had to regret on the consequences of another world war, i.e., the third world war. Works cited Kinzer, Stephen. All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror. John Wiley and Sons, 2007. Read More