How did American and Soviet imperialism in the Middle East lead to Islamic revolutions in Iran and Afghanistan? How did they become highly publicized examples of the frustrations of the United States and the Soviet Union?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER:
Students should explore the imperialistic "meddling" of both the superpowers in these neighboring countries. In Iran, the United States had helped the shah regain power in 1953 through covert intervention by the CIA. In return, Iran purchased American weapons and gave the United States favorable oil trade conditions. The people in Iran, however, resented the shah's corrupt and autocratic policies and viewed him as a "puppet" of the United States. He was overthrown in 1979 by a Shi'ite cleric named Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who replaced the monarchy with an Islamic Republic. The new government was Anti-American and Anti-Israel. In November 1979, Iranian radicals seized the United States Embassy in Tehran and held fifty-two American diplomats hostage for 444 days. This was a blow to the prestige of the United States. In Afghanistan, the Soviet Union sent its army to support a growing communist government there. The Soviet Union became embroiled in a guerilla war with local Islamic warlords in the countryside who were being supported with training and weapons by the United States. This war became a drain on Soviet resources and became increasingly unpopular at home. Students should understand that both of these "losses" were humbling for both superpowers.