U.S. Covert Involvement in the Middle East (Essay Sample)

THE U.S COVERT ACTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
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Introduction
Although the U.S foreign presence is built on its mighty military, covert actions are frequently used to accomplish sensitive operations. Like other western powers, the U.S has conducted several covert actions in the Middle East to bolster its global presence and enjoy the value of being a prominent player in the region. The use of covert actions in the Middle East is perceived as low-risk activities that do not tarnish the country’s image and prevent military troops’ engagement in unnecessary wars. Covert actions, by characterization and definition, are complex to assess. The secrecy involved leads to ambiguity and uncertainty about any data that attempts to present their success, origin, and scope. Nevertheless, this paper examines the U.S covert actions in the Middle East and why the CIA still employ covert actions despite their negative effect on U.S foreign policy. The paper also assesses the role of U.S covert operations in the toppling of Iranian Prime Minister Muhammad Mossadegh in 1953.
Background of U.S covert involvement in the Middle East
The U.S involvement in the Middle East can be traced to the 1850s when President Millard Fillmore attempted to negotiate a commercial treaty with the Persian Empire. However, covert actions officially began during World War II when President Truman recognized the long-term strategic value of the Middle East’s oil and its importance on postwar recovery. The initial covert actions were undertaken by the Office of Strategic Studies (OSS) but were halted after the war ended. However, the escalating tensions between the U.S and the Soviet Union during the Cold War led to the establishment of the CIA and NSC 10/2; a furtive decree that granted the CIA the power to initiate covert actions anywhere in the world. The first U.S covert action in the Middle East occurred in 1953 when the CIA overthrew Iranian Prime Minister Muhammad