I think it is fascinating how society is affected by political events that took place thousands of years ago, or for that matter, barely seventy years ago. For example, at the end of World War II, Middle Eastern countries tended to align with one of the super powers in the hopes of receiving financial aid and military arms. One example would be Mustafa Barzani’s working with the Soviets. From the Soviet point of view, Barzani was working with them implanting communist ideals into the minds of the Kurdish people, who were looking for support in their fight for autonomy.

The United States spent millions of dollars bolstering the Pahlavi government in Iran. By helping the Shah in modernizing he country, selling the United States oil, and buying US weapons, the goal of the United States was to have a friendly government, with a military that would stand up against the Communist threat in the Middle East. In doing so, the United States ignored the totalitarian methods the Shah used while ruling the country. The Westernizing of Iran with America as a close ally backfired when the religious community headed by the Grand Ayatollah Khomeini led a rebellion that deposed the Shah. Continue reading →