Stephen Kinzer is an award-winning journalist and author known for his work on international relations and American foreign policy. He has served as a foreign correspondent for The New York Times, reporting from over fifty countries on five continents. His insightful analysis and historical narratives have made him a prominent voice in discussions on US interventionism. Kinzer is also a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University and has authored several influential books, including "All the Shah's Men" and "The Brothers."
"Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq" by Stephen Kinzer offers a compelling historical account of the United States' involvement in regime changes across the globe over more than a century. The book chronicles fourteen instances where the US has overthrown foreign governments, starting from the annexation of Hawaii in 1893 to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Key Themes and Case Studies:
- Early Interventions: The book begins with the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and proceeds to other early 20th-century interventions, such as in the Philippines and Central America.
- Cold War Era: Kinzer delves into the Cold War period, highlighting CIA-led coups in Iran (1953) and Guatemala (1954), as well as the intervention in Chile (1973). These actions were often justified by the US as necessary to contain communism, but Kinzer explores the deeper motivations involving economic interests and geopolitical strategy.
- Post-Cold War Interventions: The narrative moves to post-Cold War interventions, including the invasions of Panama (1989) and Iraq (2003). Kinzer argues that these actions were driven by a mix of strategic interests, ideological motivations, and at times, misjudgments by US policymakers.
Kinzer provides a critical examination of the consequences of these regime change operations, highlighting the instability, conflict, and resentment they often leave in their wake. He questions the moral and strategic justifications for these interventions, suggesting that they frequently result in long-term negative repercussions for both the targeted countries and the US itself.
"Overthrow" is a meticulously researched and engagingly written book that offers a critical perspective on the history of US foreign interventions. Kinzer's work encourages readers to reflect on the ethical and practical implications of American foreign policy and to consider alternative approaches to international relations that respect national sovereignty and promote global stability.
