(This post relies heavily on information presented in Chapter Two of Trita Parsi's book Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States. You can find more information about the book on Amazon. Just click here.) To understand the relationship between Iran and Israel during the Cold War, it’s necessary to know a bit of history. You can dig deep … [Read more...] about Iran and Israel: Cold War Frenemies?
Iran
It’s Now Ruz: Celebrate The White Balloon and Iran’s Film Industry
The Iranian celebration of Nowruz starts at the precise moment that winter ends and spring begins. In 2025, the festivities will commence on March 20 at 5:01 a.m. Eastern time. Unlike most American holidays, Now Ruz lasts longer than one day. The celebration stretches for 13 days and is full of rituals, festivities, and symbolism. If you’re a film lover the movie The White … [Read more...] about It’s Now Ruz: Celebrate The White Balloon and Iran’s Film Industry
A Different Cold War: 1953-1955
As European colonial rule and conservative monarchies began crumbling, America stressed its opposition to revolution and nationalist uprisings. This despite the fact that US President Eisenhower and Secretary of State Dulles understood and sympathized with much of the new nationalism and wanted the 'old' colonial powers out of the way. Ike felt that if colonial … [Read more...] about A Different Cold War: 1953-1955
Iran, Russia, and the Politics of Expediency
How did the headlines change from “Arming the Shah” to “Iran Sends Drone Trainers to Crimea to Aid Russian Military”? It’s perplexing, isn’t it? The relationship between Russia and Iran has been turbulent and fraught with controversy - even conflict. Stalin refused to withdraw Soviet troops from the country after World War II, leading to a debate in the Security Council of … [Read more...] about Iran, Russia, and the Politics of Expediency
Iran 1953: Oil, Democracy, and the CIA
According to Foreign Policy, the ouster of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq is the earliest Cold War coup involvement that the US government has acknowledged. Mosaddeq, known affectionately as ‘the grand old man,’ took office as Prime Minister of Iran in 1951 and promptly led a movement to nationalize the British controlled Iranian oil industry. For many Iranians … [Read more...] about Iran 1953: Oil, Democracy, and the CIA
