[microgood]

Ironically, our own CIA overthrew the first democracy in the region, in Iran.

[Enchante]

"Ironically, our own CIA overthrew the first democracy in the region, in Iran."

Not really -- Iran in the early '50s was hardly any kind of democracy and Mossadegh was in the process of destroying the Iranian constitution -- he had ended ballot counting before his opponents' votes could be counted, dissolved Parliament, extended his emergency (dictatorial) powers, abolished the constitutional guarantee of a secret ballot, conducted a sham referendum that (surprise) announced he had over 99% support (sound familiar?), nationalized oil facilities, etc. He was ruling as a dictator -- a popular demagogue, to be sure, but it is highly debatable whether Iran had any semblance of democracy under Mossadegh.

It is also, of course, debatable whether western intervention made sense, since the UK and US managed to provide generations of talking points for both secular leftists and fascistic Mullahs by deposing Mossadegh. But it is not accurate to say that Mossadegh was a democratic leader respecting the constitution.