Photo Essay: Grudge Matches

Iran vs. the United States. Ethiopia vs. Eritrea. Russia vs. Georgia. Here’s a look at how some of the world’s fiercest national rivalries have played out at the Beijing Olympics.

United States vs. Iran

The grudge: Death to America has been a familiar catchphrase on Tehrans streets ever since the CIA helped remove the democratically elected Mohammad Mossadeq in the 1950s. Iran returned the favor by storming the U.S. Embassy and seizing 52 hostages during the 1979 revolution that overthrew the shah, a close U.S. ally. Given President George W. Bushs 2002 Axis of Evil speech, Iranian meddling in Iraq, and the standoff over Tehrans nuclear ambitions, relations havent improved much since.

The competitors: Daniel McCormick (blue) of the United States and Irans Mohammed Reza Rodaki (white) squared off in mens over-100-kg judo on Aug. 15.

The result: Rodaki pinned McCormick for the victory, something we can probably expect to hear about from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad soon.

Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

More from Foreign Policy

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.