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> and at least attacks a lot of their own enemies. But how much of the enmity is simply due to the US's support of Israel? Am I the most loyal friend of a bull
by Udik 7y ago
> and at least attacks a lot of their own enemies.
But how much of the enmity is simply due to the US's support of Israel? Am I the most loyal friend of a bully because his victims are my enemies, or his victims hate me because I am his most loyal friend?
- tsimionescu 7y agoIn the case of Iran at least, the enmity began after Iran nationalized some BP oil in the gulf, prompting the UK to ask for CIA help in getting rid of the democratic Iranian government at the time, and reinstating the military dictatorship of the Shah. That plan succeeded for a while, but later backfired with the Iranian Revolution which led to the current Israel-hating, fundamentalist Islamic regime [1]. So in thisccase at least, the US - Iran enmity would still be there even if Israel was completely neutral. Of course, a lot of other sources of enmity have accumulated over the years, but this is most likely the 'original' reason. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9ta...
- Udik 7y agoYou're assuming that the enmity caused by an event of almost seventy years ago would still be intact in the absence of other factors. It is possible, but it's a stretch. Justifying the reciprocal hatred with the formulas "they overthrew our democratic president"/ "they kept our people hostages" is convenient, but these are just formulas. A lot of stuff has happened since and there was plenty of time for normalization of relationships. The fate of the nuclear accord is telling: a move towards peace and normalization was sunk by the most unapologetically pro-Israel president in US history.