Old History, But Now That I Think About It...

I was telling someone that the average American barely pays any attention to international news - unless it's something really big), and so most of our foreign policy is decided by people with ties to the powers-that-be...

Corporations, wealthy individuals, ivy league graduates, etc. 

Its part of why our policies are so bipolar (or schizophrenic? This isn't a true psychological diagnosis. Just commentary on how we swing from idealistic morals to the nastiest of realpolitik. And sometimes blend both.)

Anyways, it's also part of how an out of touch so-called-elite can continue to make terrible decisions.

In this case, how America became involved in overthrowing Iran's democratically elected ruler (thus earning the enmity that hurt relations when the Shah was overthrown, and we got the current Iranian theocracy.)