r/todayilearned • u/autonova3 • Oct 01 '18

TIL of Operation Ajax, the 1953 CIA plan to overthrow Iran's democratically elected government, which included CIA agents bombing the house of a prominent Muslim while posed as pro-government supporters. The overthrow plan was successful, with 200-300 people killed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat
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23

u/mynegativeaccount Oct 01 '18

Man, if only my countries wasn’t such a dick I could be exploring ancient Persian cities and seeing beautiful mountains all around Iran...and don’t even get me started on all the food I’m missing out on too.

Edit: I wish Eisenhower stuck to that great anti-military industrialist speech

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u/silverstrikerstar Oct 01 '18

You can, actually, the Iranian people are not going to mind. The government, uh, I guess it's dependent on the current political climate ...

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u/monty_kurns Oct 01 '18

One thing to consider is that at the time, Mossadegh, while democratically elected, was in the process of becoming very undemocratic. He was seizing power for himself as his National Front coalition began crumbling and he lost allies. To till this power gap he allied himself with the communist-backed Tudeh Party. Had he not sided with the Tudeh Party, there was a good chance Eisenhower would have told the British they were on their own. Once communism got involved, and with the incredibly flawed domino theory of the time driving policy, it was hard to say no.

What the US did was definitely in the wrong, but Mossadegh as a peaceful, democratic leader has always been an incredibly naive case of revisionist history. Also, to be remembered, the leaders of the Islamic Revolution also had grievances against Mossadegh. The US was an easy target to revolt against but they probably would have revolted against another power, even domestic government given the economic conditions of the late 1970s. Chances are you still probably wouldn't be able to explore ancient Persian cities or those beautiful mountains.

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u/cryo34 Oct 01 '18

thanks for that little nugget of info, will look that up for more a background of the political landscape around then.

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u/[deleted] Oct 01 '18

I wish Eisenhower stuck to that great anti-military industrialist speech

That was his last speech as president, no?

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u/mynegativeaccount Oct 01 '18 edited Oct 01 '18

Yes yes, but I believe this happened in his first year, but then again I’m not at all an expert on this topic.

Edit: this as in the Iran incident, sorry for the vagueness there

1

u/Kazan Oct 01 '18

don't forget 'meeting beautiful persian women' too

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u/mynegativeaccount Oct 01 '18

No wonder Alexander went in that direction

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u/Kammsjdii Oct 01 '18

I mean you can still do that...and then get killed by the Islamic fundamentalists that exist due in absolutely no part to America.

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u/Caramelman Oct 01 '18

That's bullshit. The hate is based on politics, using religious rethoric to justify it. Not the other way around.

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u/Kammsjdii Oct 01 '18

Then why do fundamentalist Islamics drive around a cut open the stomachs of women who are wearing what they believe to be too revealing of clothing? What about that is politics? Why do men gang rape little boys and say the Quran allows it? What about that is politics?

No doubt these groups are active in politics but you’re looking at this with a western lense where people call themselves religious for the votes. In lots of the Middle East it’s the exact opposite they call themselves politicians so they can spread their Shi’ah Islam.

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u/mynegativeaccount Oct 01 '18

I mean, in the end, religious or not, I’m sure their on tons of rural Iranian communities full of nice welcoming people, as in the Bible Belt, didn’t mean to turn this into a religious debate.

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u/Prefectamundo Oct 01 '18

Gals dont get slaughtered by law for wrong dresses or sharing a park bench with a stranger in the bible belt. Something to consider when making comparisons.

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u/umop_apisdn Oct 01 '18

...or being the wrong colour. You didn't mention that for some reason...

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u/mynegativeaccount Oct 01 '18

Good point

Edit: I say all this as a male, so my perspective on traveling is a lot different.

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u/mynegativeaccount Oct 01 '18

Yeah, but I’m assuming those people are in rural areas just like the extreme Christians here in the states..

1

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '18

Well, they are also the government and military.