Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

#1777 How Christian Nationalism, Oil, and Zionism Built The War Against Iran

9 snips
Mar 16, 2026
Guest
Panel Commentator (on Gaza, regional impacts)
Guest
Jamal / Diaspora Analyst (Inside the Iran War Industry clip)
Panel Commentator: commentator on Gaza and regional impacts. Jamal: diaspora analyst and journalist on lobbying and propaganda networks. They trace how Christian nationalism, oil interests, and Zionist strategy pushed the U.S. toward conflict with Iran. Short, punchy takes on memory, military plans, lobbying networks, regional suffering, and religious rhetoric shaping policy.
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INSIGHT

Conflicting National Memories Drive U.S.-Iran Hostility

  • Americans and Iranians remember the same history differently, which shapes their foreign policy narratives and fuels mutual distrust.
  • Jay Tomlinson traces U.S. interventions from 1907 spheres to the 1953 CIA coup and the 1988 Vincennes shootdown as foundational Iranian memories driving present hostility.
ANECDOTE

1953 Coup Overturned Iran's Democracy

  • Mohammed Mossadegh nationalized Iran's oil in 1951 and was removed in the CIA- and British-backed 1953 Operation Ajax.
  • Jay recounts Kermit Roosevelt III carrying funds and organizing protests that toppled a democratic PM and restored the Shah.
INSIGHT

Netanyahu Pressured Trump To Attack Iran

  • Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly pressed Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago to prioritize destroying Iran's missile system and greenlit an attack.
  • The clip suggests Netanyahu framed inaction as politically unacceptable and left Trump little real choice, setting the stage for strikes.
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