Diplomacy of the Suez Crisis
Brenda Aguilar
Professor Sajdik
POLS 356
4/6/13
Case Study: Interdependence and the Diplomacy of the Suez Crisis
Basis of the problem was President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt. A determined and charismatic president who influenced to liberate Egypt from the colonial lifestyle. His main reason to push the envelope was to bring the Arab nations into the modern world and to prepare the Arab nations into the next war with Israel. One of his ideal goals while his stay in office is to make the Arab countries to become involved in the Cold War politics, great power interests, and the stability of the Middle East. In an attempt to contain Nasser from embracing the Eastern bloc, the United States agreed to help him to finance his monumental Aswan Dam project. However, news reached to the Secretary of State John Foster Dulles that Nasser has been trying to obtain arms from Prague and Moscow. So, the Secretary of State decided to announce that the United States will withdraw all financial support to Egypt to help with the construction of the Aswan Dam on the Nile River. This action drove Nasser into announcing in July 26, 1956 that his inner council was going to nationalize the Suez Canal Company. Since, Britain and France had total control of this canal it deeply humiliated the most closest allies of the United States. By Nasser nationalizing the canal, it helped to boast and stabilize the Economy of Egypt and made up the loss of revenues. The media masses of the Egyptian were overjoyed and praised Nasser. Negotiations have emerged in the UN and took matter on their own hands. In October 29 1956, British, French and Israeli forces attacked Egypt, claiming that they were just protecting the Suez Canal. The incident nearly provoked a U.S- Soviet confrontation, but President Dwight D. Eisenhower coupled stern warnings against any Soviet military action with a refusal to support the British, French, and Israeli invasion. The invading forces withdraw in early 1957.
Professor Sajdik
POLS 356
4/6/13
Case Study: Interdependence and the Diplomacy of the Suez Crisis
Basis of the problem was President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt. A determined and charismatic president who influenced to liberate Egypt from the colonial lifestyle. His main reason to push the envelope was to bring the Arab nations into the modern world and to prepare the Arab nations into the next war with Israel. One of his ideal goals while his stay in office is to make the Arab countries to become involved in the Cold War politics, great power interests, and the stability of the Middle East. In an attempt to contain Nasser from embracing the Eastern bloc, the United States agreed to help him to finance his monumental Aswan Dam project. However, news reached to the Secretary of State John Foster Dulles that Nasser has been trying to obtain arms from Prague and Moscow. So, the Secretary of State decided to announce that the United States will withdraw all financial support to Egypt to help with the construction of the Aswan Dam on the Nile River. This action drove Nasser into announcing in July 26, 1956 that his inner council was going to nationalize the Suez Canal Company. Since, Britain and France had total control of this canal it deeply humiliated the most closest allies of the United States. By Nasser nationalizing the canal, it helped to boast and stabilize the Economy of Egypt and made up the loss of revenues. The media masses of the Egyptian were overjoyed and praised Nasser. Negotiations have emerged in the UN and took matter on their own hands. In October 29 1956, British, French and Israeli forces attacked Egypt, claiming that they were just protecting the Suez Canal. The incident nearly provoked a U.S- Soviet confrontation, but President Dwight D. Eisenhower coupled stern warnings against any Soviet military action with a refusal to support the British, French, and Israeli invasion. The invading forces withdraw in early 1957.