All Your Shah Are Belong To Us

Current Reading: All The Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer
I've only just started reading this, but I recommend this book with vigor. Basic story - US staged overthrow of the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran in 1953 and placed the Shah in power to protect British oil interests. Fast forward to 1979, Iranians still remember the overthrow, fundamendalist Islam is popular with the masses, revolutioin, Shah replaced by Ayatollah. The Islamic Revolution spurs similar Islam Fundamentalist movements across the region, combined with the US-backed Islamic fighters in Afghanistan, etc etc.

It's been a fascinating read so far, great insight into the influence of Islam, particularly the Shi'ite sect, on the Iranian mindset and the heritage of the past Persian civilizations. But for me, it's interesting to just see how we see the effects of decisions made 60, 70 years ago in today's politics. Good stuff.