Franklin Book Programs (FBP), founded in 1952 and supported by governmental and private funds, played a key role in Cold War educational initiatives. Initially focused on translation, FBP later expanded into publishing and bookselling, becoming a major player in global knowledge production.

This talk examines FBP’s impact on book translation, textbook production, and educational policies in the Middle East, especially Iran, from 1952 to 1977. We will learn how cultural initiatives—and not just economic policies—solidified US imperialism as a global enterprise.