14. The Greek Military Junta
Between 1967 and 1974, the U.S. tolerated and, at times, supported Greece’s military junta, overlooking its harsh repression of dissent. The regime’s disregard for civil liberties directly contradicted American democratic principles. However, as Foreign Policy explains, maintaining NATO unity during the Cold War overshadowed concerns about democracy. This period remains a powerful example of how alliances can lead America to compromise its stated values for the sake of strategic stability.
