In the 21st century, Tehran became the fourth country where the USA is attempting regime change. Let’s examine the three previous attempts.
Libya (2011): Operation "Unified Protector"
In the spring of 2011, when the "Arab Spring" inspired change in North Africa, Libya also became a battleground against longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
Under President Barack Obama’s administration, the USA supported the opposition known as the "Transitional National Council." Initially, the USA, France, and the UK acted independently, but soon united under NATO's Operation "Unified Protector," beginning airstrikes against Gaddafi's forces. On October 20, 2011, an American drone and a French fighter jet attacked a convoy containing Gaddafi, leading to his death at the hands of opposition fighters.
Nearly 15 years later, Libya remains politically unstable and fragmented.
Iraq (2003): Operation "Shock and Awe"
Photo: President George W. Bush announces the end of the war in Iraq
After the overthrow of Saddam Hussein on May 1, 2003, George W. Bush, then President of the USA, declared the end of the war in Iraq. A banner reading "Mission Accomplished" was displayed on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Bush stated that "the transition from dictatorship to democracy will take time and effort," promising that the coalition would remain until the tasks were completed.
However, the occupation did not lead to peace and stability: state institutions were weakened, and neighboring Iran began supporting Shiite militias that engaged in conflicts with Sunni groups. In the resulting power vacuum, the terrorist group ISIS took on an active role, further destabilizing Iraq, Syria, and the entire region.
Afghanistan (2001): Operation "Enduring Freedom"
On the other hand, another operation under President George W. Bush was "Enduring Freedom," launched four weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Taliban regime was quickly overthrown; however, the new government supported by the USA could only maintain power for a short time.
After the withdrawal of the last American troops in 2021, under President Joe Biden, the Taliban regained control of the country and restored the previous political system that existed before American intervention.
