Why is the Middle East at war?: US Intervention explained | LSE

The pivotal 1953 coup in Iran, orchestrated by the CIA and MI6, toppled the democratically elected Prime Minister Muhammad Mossadegh. Renowned scholar Fawaz Gerges explains how this event set a precedent for an American foreign policy of intervention in the region, shaping the political landscape of the Middle East.



Fawaz A. Gerges is professor of International Relations at LSE and the author of Making the Arab World and ISIS: A History. He has also been a senior analyst for ABC News.

00:00 The American Story
00:24 CIA and M16 role in 1953 Iranian Coup
00:49 Cold War Dynamics explained
01:38 Why Mossadegh was an enemy of the United States
02:32 Aftermath of the Coup
02:57 U.S. hegemony and its consequences
04:16 Local agency and self-determination in the Middle East
04:39 Debunking myths about Arab and Muslim culture and U.S. foreign policy

[kintoria]

Im happy to see LSE isn’t afraid to speak what is true about western imperialism.

[PhilipWong]

Anywhere in the world, if there is a border dispute, it is usually the result of a line drawn by an Englishman; if it is an internal dispute, it is usually the US fueling it. Difference in implementation of divide and conquer strategy.

The 'Arsenal of Democracy' produces 40 percent of the world's weapons. It is a very profitable business model in which other countries buy these weapons to fight each other. The key is maximizing profits without shedding US blood by inducing conflicts between and within countries outside the USA. One client is eager to spend AUD 368 billion to buy a few high-quality used nuclear-powered submarines. This business model's critical components are NATO, QUAD, ANZUS, Five Eyes, AUKUS, and MCC (Mutual Cross-Service Agreement).

Since WWII, the United States has started 201 wars, overthrew 36 foreign leaders, killed or attempted to kill 50, dropped bombs in 30 countries, and interfered in 86 foreign elections. To make the world safe for democracy, the US has caused the deaths of tens of millions of people in its conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria. The CIA was involved in covert operations that resulted in mass killings of communists in over 22 countries, 500, 000 to 2, 000, 000 Indonesian civilians disappeared in 1965-1966.

[tariqmohiuddinahmed]

Amazing and a bold vedio, Thanks LSE

[LeviKerrison]

It’s crazy to think that all of this stuff was conspiracy theories when I was a teenager and he 10 years later it’s just American foreign policy.

[DblockDarwish-vbdf]

Happy to see London school of economics isn't afraid to speak the truth.

[sandralewis]

War? Peace? Whatever, we must forgive whomever for whatever reason. Per Matthew 6:14-15 and Colossians 3:13

[fe]

It isn't "Em sixteen" it is "Em eye six". During the Great War, British Military Intelligence was divided into numbered departments (MI1 to MI19). The names MI5 and MI6 stuck around after the war and were used for the Security Service and Secret Intelligence Service.

[DUCATIPUNK]

FACT#3 Mossadegh illegally and in a blatant violation of Iranian constitution dissolved the Majlis (parliament) . According to the 1906 Iranian Constitution and many precedents, in times when the Parliament is not in session, the Shah has the sole authority to dismiss and appoint the prime minister and consultation with Majlis is not required.
Shah issued a lawful and constitutional order to dismiss Mossadegh.
Mossadegh’s rejection of Shahs lawful constitutional dismissal order was in fact the real coup.
As the military was under command of Mossadegh and he ordered the Royal Guard to be disarmed and dissolved.

[marshallpierre]

The things we do to maintain an empire!!
The US is no different than other nations that once held the prestigious and coveted position of “top dog” in international affairs. That kind of power requires a firm and often violent hand to maintain its supremacy. I wonder if global affairs is doomed to be conducted through these means.

[JJ_S-iohq]

All empires portray themselves as righteous and benign. The US empire is certain no exception.

[DUCATIPUNK]

U.S. Intervened in Chile yet today Chile is South Americas most prosperous, free and stable Democratic societies.
In fact Freedom House gives Chile a score of 94 out 100 for political rights and civil liberties, a HIGHER score than U.S.A with a score of 83 out of 100.
Same story in South Korea, a Military Dictatorship until 1987 now matches the U.S. in Civil liberties and political rights.
The answer to question “why is Middle East at war” is better found in the cultural shortcomings of the Muslim world.

[dubu]

This is great powers politics. If you are a hegemon like the United states you want to be in this position forever. It's in your interest to grow economically while others stagnate. That's why you create conflicts in the Middle East. So these countries would buy your military weapons and spend billions of dollars on wars therefore they remain weak forever while you profit from these wars and make progress rapidly. The whole democracy argument is collapsing. Many countries who have made significant progress weren't or aren't domocracies at all.

[DUCATIPUNK]

FACT#2 - The law to Nationalize the Iranian Oil Industry passed by a vote of Majlis (parliament) when Hossein Ala was the prime minister of Iran.

[Aladin-rt]

Because it is the richest spot on earth and the hub of INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

[JoseLopez-ysoz]

West Asia is at war today, because the so-called champion of democracy and the United Kingdom illegally removed in 1953 the Iranian democratically elected leader that so many people compared to Gandhi? Now it makes perfect sense why the United States (US) and its allies are unconditionally supporting the artificial colonial settler regime of Israel in its genocide against the indigenous people of Palestine. Now it makes perfect sense why 38 million Americans live in poverty and 60% live from paycheck to paycheck, as 9 of the 10 richest men in the world are US citizens. Now it makes perfect sense why the US wanted to kill Julian Assange for providing the world with evidence that proves that the US is unquestionably the world’s biggest threat to peace. And, now it also makes perfect sense why the US has consistently refused to comply with 42 United Nations’ resolutions demanding that it immediately return Puerto Rico’s sovereignty to the Puerto Ricans. “Make America Great Again” means the Doomsday Clock striking midnight!

[atheneaberdeen]

Nothing new here. Only more clearly linked.

[Ahamedalikhan-vh]

No America the middle East will be peaceful

[savakiranbaan]

Muhammad Mosaadegh was not an elected prime minister😂.

[faieqhassan]

oil and gas
whos the most beneficiary is in problem now us

[Goku]

Because of Qatar 🇶🇦 Saudi Uae 🇦🇪 and turkey 🇹🇷