In the early days of the Cold War, nationalism was a particularly bad word in underdeveloped or developing countries, whose primary purpose was to service the First World and fulfil its economic and security needs.

So when Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh got too patriotic and nationalised his country’s oil, the CIA had to correct this audacious behaviour by ensuring that US oil companies got 40 per cent of the former British concession in Iran and restoring the Shah to the Peacock Throne.