Fight for Oil: 100 Years in the Middle East, Part 1

(52 mins) The history of the race for oil in the Middle East, and the conflict is caused between world powers in the 20th century, is explored in this documentary. As the race for oil began Britain, Russia, The USA, Germany and France all began to lay claim to the land in the Middle East, bidding to control the natural resources and related wealth it provided. Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi gives her thoughts on the former Prime Minister of Iran, Mohammed Mossadegh, and his fight for independence from the world powers. Britain's influence on Iran and the Middle East, through the creation of monarchies, armies and parliaments, is explored, as well as the impact of its withdrawal from the region. This is part 1 of 3 of a series focusing on the history of oil and the conflicts it has caused, many of which continue today.