NEIGHBORHOOD #5: ALL THE SHAH'S MEN

A critical piece of American/Middle-East history is captured in the book I finished a couple of weeks ago: All The Shah's Men: An American Coup And The Roots of Middle East Terror. It details the raw imperialism that drove Britain's meddling in the region, and its uncompromising desire to keep pumping oil from the country, exploiting the Iranian people and keep nearly all of the profits for itself. It wasn't a great leap from that raw colonialism to a more nuanced imperialism masquerading as anti-Communism that convinced the Eisenhower administration to not just support British action, but to lead a coup against a democratically-elected and very popular leader. When Mosadegh was violently removed from power, the Shah was imposed on the people as a dictator. The West once again controlled the oil. America was beginning a brisk business of deposing democratically-elected leaders. And more people around the world were learning to hate the U.S.

It's a great book, in part, because it provides some excellent context. The second chapter gives the relevant history of the region: "Many countries in the Middle East are artificial creations...Just the opposite is true of Iran." Then the book sweeps through 4000 years, giving the reader a better understanding of Iranian nationalism.

Most of the book, however, tells a detailed story of how Kermit Roosevelt - an American CIA operative - organized the coup as ordered by his superiors in Washington. There were bribes and promises of positions of power in the new government. He essentially purchased mobs to take over the streets and paid for lies to be published in newspapers. It is also clear that this American meddling has led directly to a lot of America's problems in the region today. Iran was a young democracy when the U.S. imposed its will on the people. Years later, it was disgust with the Shah by the people of Iran that led to his forced removal and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. And it was this violent reality that people throughout the Middle East have intimately known, but that Americans have known almost nothing about. This is why many Americans believe terrorists blow up buildings because they hate freedom. Why else would they target this great nation?

While not outlined in the book, it is also clear that this type of covert activity is normal practice for the United States government. Many of these details have come out slowly over decades. What is the U.S. doing now in Iran? Iraq? Venezuela? We may not really know the truth for years. Don't believe a word out of Condaleeza Rice's mouth.

Anyway, I recommend the book. On a lighter note, I also recommend the Arcade Fire album, Funeral. It's brilliant. About 5 of the songs are mini-anthems. A couple of them build to a rhythmic pop-crescendo. There is a feel to the album, but each song is very distinct. My favorites are "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)," "Rebellion (Lies)," and the best song on the album "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)."