"All the Shah's Men" by Stephen Kinzer explores the 1953 coup in Iran orchestrated by the CIA, which led to the ousting of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and the reinstatement of the Shah. This event, driven by the desire to control Iranβs oil resources and counter Soviet influence, is presented as a critical moment in U.S.-Iran relations. Kinzer examines how this covert operation not only disrupted Iranian democracy but also laid the groundwork for decades of resentment towards the United States in the Middle East.
The book delves into the motivations behind the coup, illustrating the interplay of local and international forces. Kinzer highlights the role of key figures, including agents who implemented the coup and politicians who orchestrated it from Washington. Through meticulous research, he portrays the complex political landscape of Iran at the time and the miscalculations made by the U.S. government that ultimately led to disaster.