The Political Psychology of Regime Change in Iran

Vetticad, Ryan

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113632 Copy

Description

Title

The Political Psychology of Regime Change in Iran

Author(s)

Vetticad, Ryan

Issue Date

2021

Keyword(s)

• Regime Change
• Iran
• 1953 Iranian Coup D’etat
• Central Intelligence Agency
• CIA
• Mohammed Mossadegh
• Reza Shah Pahlavi

Abstract

In the study of the 20th century's most infamous case of regime change, the 1953 Iranian coup d’etat, the role of political psychology played an increasingly vital role in how these revolutions panned out. In these instances, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had analyzed specific individuals, respectively being Iran’s Mohammed Mossadegh, that were not adhering to policies in conjunction with American interests. As a result, the CIA led an immense role in the orchestration of the revolution and handpicked Iran’s successor, Reza Shah Pahlavi. This essay works to perform a nuanced psychological analysis of these two individuals discussing the contested nature of why the CIA did not cooperate with Mossadegh, and why they pickedPahlavi to fill his place. Furthermore, it makes the invariable argument that while the U.S.Central Intelligence Agency is not a terrorist organization as a whole, it’s involvement in the revolution does constitute as a specific act of terrorism.

Publisher

Program in Arms Control & Domestic and International Security

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113632

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2021 Ryan Vetticad

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