Iran 1953
In March 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized the use of American sponsored covert action to overthrow Iran’s Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh. This marked “the first peacetime use of covert action by the United States to overthrow a foreign cover.” [1] Prompted by British pressure and the belief that Iran might fall under the Soviet sphere of influence, President Eisenhower's administration asked Allen Dulles to plan the removal of Mossadegh from power. Under Allen Dulles' leadership, the CIA financed, organized, and implemented operations that would later lead to the August 19th, 1953 coup d’état in Iran. [2]
"Persian Revolt (1953)," Youtube Video, 1:32, posted by "British Pathé," April 13, 2014.
Bay of Pigs 1961
Nearly a decade after the 1954 coup in Iran, Dulles’ CIA came under fire following the 1961 Bay of Pigs incident; the CIA’s 1961 attempt to unseat Cuba’s communist leader, Fidel Castro, proved disastrous, highlighting the limitations of covert action in American foreign policymaking. Although covert action could succeed, it could easily fail. Following the Bay of Pigs affair, Dulles resigned as Director of Central Intelligence, ending his extensive career with clandestine activities. [2]
"Bay of Pigs Invasion: Lessons Learned," Youtube Video, 6:05, posted by "Council on Foreign Relations," April 17, 2012.
Work Cited.
[1] Mark J. Gasiorowski, “The 1953 Coup D’état in Iran,” International Journal of Middle East Studies 19, no.3 (1987): 261.
[2] Mark J. Gasiorowski, “The 1953 Coup D’état in Iran,” International Journal of Middle East Studies 19, no.3 (1987): 261-273.
[3] Lucien Vandenbroucke, "Anatomy of a Failure: The Decision to Land at the Bay of Pigs," Political Science Quarterly 99, no. 3 (1984): 471-491.
[1] Mark J. Gasiorowski, “The 1953 Coup D’état in Iran,” International Journal of Middle East Studies 19, no.3 (1987): 261.
[2] Mark J. Gasiorowski, “The 1953 Coup D’état in Iran,” International Journal of Middle East Studies 19, no.3 (1987): 261-273.
[3] Lucien Vandenbroucke, "Anatomy of a Failure: The Decision to Land at the Bay of Pigs," Political Science Quarterly 99, no. 3 (1984): 471-491.