Within 24 hours, the patient rebuilding of confidence undertaken by the sovereigns of Iran and Egypt were undone by force. The overthrow of the governments they had set up to restore the prestige and economy of their countries came with such suddenness that the conclusion of ominous timing by outside forces is inescapable.

In Iran, Communists openly inflamed the supporters of Dr. Mossadegh in their nationalist excesses, and helped bring the downfall of a moderate, Premier Qavam, before he had a chance to form a government. [Ahmad Ghavam] The mere announcement that he would seek a solution of the oil problem, that has impoverished his country, brought about his fall because stability would not serve Communist ends in his unhappy land.

In Egypt, the fifth government in six months was brought down when General Mohammed Naguib seized control of the army and used it engineer a military coup that gave him control also of the government. These two nations on the wings of the Arab world, have been close in many ways. They are the oldest of the Arab government and, formerly, the richest. [Iran ain’t Arab!] They are a prize in the world struggle. Their temporary eclipse on the eve of attaining stability is a disaster.