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John Foster Dulles
Secretary of State (1953-1959)
Cold War hardliner who orchestrated coups and brinkmanship
Overview
John Foster Dulles was Secretary of State under Eisenhower and brother of CIA Director Allen Dulles. Together they orchestrated coups in Iran and Guatemala, pushed "massive retaliation "nuclear doctrine, and escalated Cold War tensions. His corporate law clients included United Fruit Company, whose interests drove the Guatemala coup.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
IRAN COUP: Orchestrated 1953 coup against Mosaddegh
GUATEMALA COUP: Orchestrated 1954 coup against Arbenz to protect United Fruit
MASSIVE RETALIATION: Promoted nuclear brinkmanship
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Former counsel to United Fruit Company
Related Investigations (5)
CIA Coups & Regime ChangeCriminal Justice
Tier 1
critical1954 Guatemala Coup (Operation PBSUCCESS)Financial Crime
Tier 1
criticalThe Guatemalan GenocideCriminal Justice
Tier 1
criticalIranian Coup (Operation Ajax)Covert Operations
Tier 3
critical1953 Iran Coup (Operation Ajax)Military & Foreign Policy
Tier 1
criticalKnown Associates & Connections
Allen Dulles
Brother, CIA Director
Dwight D. Eisenhower
President
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- February 25, 1888
- Birthplace
- Washington, D.C.
Education
- •Princeton University
- •George Washington University Law
Key Timeline
February 25, 1888
Born in Washington, D.C.
1953-1959
Secretary of State
August 1953
Iran coup
June 1954
Guatemala coup
May 24, 1959
Dies of cancer