Oil, Empire & the Modern Middle East – Dr. Roy | Museum of the Future: Lessons from the Past

Season two of Lessons from the Past continues with Dr. Roy Casagranda examining the forces that shaped the modern Middle East through the rise of oil politics, anti-colonial movements, and Cold War intervention. Centered on the post-World War II era, this lecture explores how oil became the foundation of global power and why the Middle East emerged as one of the central geopolitical battlegrounds of the 20th century. Rather than focusing on a single conflict, Dr. Roy traces the interconnected forces that reshaped the region: the rise of Gamal Abdel Nasser and Pan-Arabism, the Suez Crisis, CIA-backed coups in Syria and Iran, the formation and collapse of the United Arab Republic, and the creation of the petrodollar system that transformed the global economy. ~~~ Lessons from the Past at Museum of the Future is an exclusive, year-long program featuring monthly lectures by Dr. Roy Casagranda. Each session explores pivotal moments in history and connects them to the challenges shaping our world today, offering a rare opportunity for deep, interdisciplinary learning. Hosted by the Museum of the Future in Dubai, the series reflects the museum’s mission to challenge assumptions, expand perspectives, and explore the intersection of past, present, and future. 🌍 Learn more: https://museumofthefuture.ae ~~~ 🔉 Dr. Roy Casagranda Podcast 🔉 Podcast Spotify ▶ https://open.spotify.com/show/6aebF9B... Apple Podcast ▶ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ~~~ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Why Oil Won World War II 09:36 The Origins of the US-Saudi Alliance 13:57 Syria, Iran, and CIA Coups 17:03 The Egyptian Revolution and Pan-Arabism 30:42 Egypt’s 1952 Revolution and Nasser 47:47 The Aswan High Dam and Egypt’s Modernization Crisis 55:00 Nasser, Arms Deals, and the Road to Suez 01:01:38 The Suez Crisis Explained 01:07:32 Eisenhower and US Middle East Strategy 01:08:48 The Rise and Fall of the United Arab Republic 01:12:22 Iraq’s Revolution and Cold War Politics 01:17:07 Lebanon, Nuclear Threats, and US Intervention 01:26:29 Coups, Dictators, and Political Blowback 01:28:51 The 1967 War and Egypt’s Yemen Disaster 01:33:37 The 1973 Oil Crisis and the Rise of Petrodollars 01:41:38 Reagan, Lebanon, and the Return of US Intervention 01:46:14 Closing Remarks #MiddleEast #History #Geopolitics ~~~ © Dr. Roy Casagranda – All Rights Reserved. All video content featuring Dr. Roy Casagranda is the intellectual property of Dr. Roy Casagranda. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, or re-uploading of this content—whether in full or in part—is strictly prohibited. Violations may result in takedowns, strikes, or legal action.