"When the US took over global leadership in 1945, the policy became quite explicit. The documentary record from the time that John's quoting, in the 1940s, shows that the basic principle is that the US must prevent what is variously called radical nationalism, independent nationalism or economic nationalism. Various names for it, but it always means the same thing: Efforts to strike an independent course. The secret documents explain that the main US interests are threatened by nationalist regimes which are responsive to pressures from their own populations for improvement of low living standards and production for domestic use. That's got be stopped because we had the right to the resources, not they. We have to protect "our" resources." Chomsky
"A 1945 State Department document on Middle East oil described it as “...a stupendous source of strategic power, and one of the greatest material prizes in world history.” "The secret documents explain that the main US interests are threatened by nationalist regimes which are responsive to pressures from their own populations for improvement ... The Third World was to "fulfill its major function as a source of raw materials and a market" for the industrial capitalist societies, as a 1949 State Department memo put it. It was to be "exploited" (in Kennan's words) for the reconstruction of Europe and Japan. (The references are to Southeast Asia and Africa, but the points are general.) "
I have noticed that many Americans are willing to see Britian as imperial nation but not America, even when both are involved in the same crime. The 1953 coup in Iran is a good example of this.
"In 1953, the CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup d’etat that toppled the democratically elected government of Iran. The government of Mohammad Mossadegh. The aftershocks of the coup are still being felt." The CIA’s First Overthrow of a Democratically Elected Foreign Government
I have seen people argue that Britain was concerned about the oil but American was concerned about Iran slipping into the Soviets sphere of influence. But if we look at the CIA's Secret planning documents for the 1953 coup, we see the claim that "1) Both governments consider oil question secondary." (the US and UK) The first thing they wanted to make clear in their presentation to the Shah is that the "oil question" was secondary! I am quoting from the "Initial Operational Plan for TPAJAX as Cabled Nicosia to Headquarters on June 1, 1953. The writer of the document would have you believe BOTH the US and the UK were angels.
The 2nd concern listed is what they called the "major issue": "2) Major issue is to maintain independence Iran and keep from the Soviet orbit. To do this Mossadeq must be removed."
The 7th item is rich: "7) Acceptable oil settlement will be offered but successor government will not be rushed into it."
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