The United States Relations with the Middle East - 2681 Words

The United States was heavily involved in Middle-Eastern affairs during the latter half of the twentieth century. Following the election of President Eisenhower in 1952, the U.S.’s growing fear of Iranian nationalism and the potential spread of communism throughout the Persian Gulf ultimately coaxed U.S. forces into helping the British’ MI6 oust the Iranian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, from power. The CIA successfully overthrew Mossadegh and created a power vacuum in the Middle East, in 1953, through Operation Ajax. The U.S. then informally colonized Iran, under Shah Pahlavi’s rule, in order to possess economic and political hegemony over the volatile Persian Gulf. The U.S. effectively transformed the Shah into an autocratic ruler†¦show more content†¦In addition, the Shah’s decision to cede Persian land of great historic and monetary value, to Americans, further intensified Iranians’ xenophobic sentiments. Despite opposition from t he Iranian citizens, the U.S.’s economic dominance over Iran led to the invasion of American culture in Tehran and other major Iranian cities: newly constructed theatres played American films, large neon signs advertising companies such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola were commonly seen in city skylines, and clothing stores with bikinis and other American clothes were commonplace in city boulevards. Many Iranians perceived Americans’ obnoxious showcasing of western culture to be a sign of arrogance and racial superiority. More importantly, they viewed Americans’ culture to be a corrupting force on traditional Iranian life. The Iranian commissary, consisting of a large portion of Americans, imported vast amounts of liquor, cigarettes and cola. The importation of alcohol particularly outraged Iranian Muslims, for Islamic law succinctly proscribed becoming intoxicated. Additionally, in 1970, an American aircraft lifted seventy-nine tons of processed cat and dog food to Teh ran. An impoverished Iranian sardonically claimed, â€Å"the American’s dogs eat better than the average Iranian.† This airlift exemplified the notion that the Shah was more concerned about accommodating his American â€Å"friends† than meeting the dire needs of the Iranian people. The CIA helped establish Pahlavi’sShow MoreRelatedRelations Between The United States And The Middle East2161 Words   |  9 PagesThe relations between the United States and the Middle East has been intricate. Even though there is quite a physical distance between the United States and the Middle East, the United States’ influence spread within this region. Throughout the 20th and 21st century, the Middle East’s relations with other countries, strategic interests, and military standings have provoked U.S. involvement. These interventions have ranged from diplomatic actions to more drastic physical military involvement. TheRead MoreIr The United States And The Second And Second Order Effects1096 Words   |  5 PagesIran has an elected president, Hassan Rouhani, the supreme leader/ayatollah controls the military, state broadcasting services and the judicial sector. The Islamic Republic of Iran, previously known as Persia, first established diplomatic ties with the United States in 1883. Many people do not understand the importance, significance, and/or second and third order effects of U.S.-Iranian relations, although important. As mentioned in an article by Akhilesh Pillalamarri, â€Å"Iran is uniquely poisedRead MoreEssay On Civil War In The Middle East1567 Words   |  7 PagesMany people have died for the United States. They died for freedom, liberty, and justice. Most American soldiers who died in the past 15 years, died in the Middle East. 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And by the endRead MoreThe Aftermath Of World War II1562 Words   |  7 Pagesoften referred to as one of the primary creators of deep rooted turmoil in the Middle East region, the effects of the Cold War and the United States often over-zealous battle against communism is just as much a contributor if not more. The Arab world and the Middle East region were clearly going through quite an extraordinary period throughout World War II and its conclusion, primarily with the creation of most of the states we recognize today and struggling with the continuation of colonialism. These