Middle East in the Cold War

1. Middle East in the Cold War Part 1: Suez Crisis

2. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF SUEZ CANAL • Suez Canal on Egyptian territory - finished in 1869 & run by international company – • Mainly controlled by the British (& French) • He who controls the canal, controls valuable trade route

3. Post Arab-Israeli war (1949) Tensions still high Recommendations by UN were unacceptable to both sides Israel won’t negotiate until Arabs recognize them Israel won’t negotiate until Arabs recognize them Arabs won’t accept any terms until Israel recognizes their right to return Mid-East Background

4. Armistice but not Peace • Most sign armistice agreements, but no Arab nation recognizes Israel • DMZ’s created in 4 border areas: • Palestine-Syrian border • Outside Jerusalemon Mt. Scopus • High Commissioner’s former palace • Around Al-Auja on Egyptian Border • Iraq never signed armistice agreement

6. Continued Strife • Series of strikes over border by Palestinians into Israeli territory • UNTSO (Truce Supervisory Commission) and Mixed Armistice Commissions (MACs) are supposed to help settle disputes

7. DMZ Conflict w/ Syria • Israeli’s think they have free reign and sovereignty over DMZ’s esp. along Syrian border • MAC’s & UN agree argue against Israel

8. Egyptian Border • Blew up pipelines & bridges • Acts of sabotage by Egypt’s feydayeen Raids deep into Israeli territory • Israel launches counter attack into Gaza vs. Egyptian military installation • By Nov 1955, Israel had taken over the DMZ, driven Egypt out

9. Try to prevent attacks through Jordan Fear large Palestinian pop. in Jordan will turn against King Jordan takes moderate role

10. Old Arab leadership seen as weak vs. Israel Young Arabs want new, modern leadership Several countries see change in leadership:Jordan, Syria, Egypt Arab World in Chaos

11. Egyptian-British Background • British “colonialism” rejected by Egyptians • During World Wars, British influence thrives, • 1936 British withdraw EXCEPT for Canal zone; have right of return if need be; Egyptian role in canal increased

12. WWII & After – Decline in British Influence • British have heavy hand throughout war • King Farouk is weak vs. British • Try to nullify 1936 Treaty w/o success • 1952 – Coup d’Etat ousts King Farouk • 1954 – Nasser able to consolidate his power

13. Nasser & Brits Negotiate • 1954 the 1936 Treaty nullified; • Brits will leave Egypt in 1956 • Will hold some diplomatic & economic power in canal zone, but will not occupy the zone after 1956 • Stipulation: if Arab League members +/or Turkey attacked, Brits have right to return

14. Nasser & US • US Goal: Neutralize the Arab-Israeli conflict; make Mid-East an ally vs. USSR • Tripartite Agreement May 1950 • Fr, US, UK agree to push ME away from USSR • Will sell arms to region, but only for defense • Want Egypt to be the base for MEC (Middle East Command) • Nasser not interested

15. Nasser & Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) • Non-Aligned Movement; Bandung Conference 1955 • Part of a group of countries who are neither for nor against either side of the Cold War • Want to be out of the struggle • For some this is a means for peace (Nehru) • For Nehru, would like to trade/aid/negotiate w/ both sides w/o strings attached • ***Play each side against the other for increased power in Mid East

16. Obstacles to Nasser’s Dream • French in Algeria • British in Egypt • Israel

17. 1956 – British stop occupying canal region US offers aid to Nasser to develop Aswan Dam project July 1956 US pulls out funding b/c Nasser won’t stop buying arms from Czech Nasser Nationalizes Suez Canal in speech to natiob Crisis:Sequence of Events

18. Egypt has sovereignty Egypt could control trade Fear among outside world Will Nasser play fair Already denies Israel access What impact would this have?

19. Israel, France, UK Oct 56 • Collude w/o US knowing to invade Egypt • Goal: Oust Nasser • Method: Have Israel attack through Sinai, let UK & France come in to separate armies & “protect” the canal

20. Israel attacks over Sinai (successful) UK & Fr send in paratroopers in canal region Militarily successful Invasion Strategy

21. Cold War Politics • USSR immediately threatens to intervene & will use nukes if necessary • Hopes to redirect focus from E. Europe to Middle East • Threat of nuclear weapons toward London & Paris loomed • USA responds…..

22. What are the US’ Options? • A: Support Allies • B: Support Nasser • C: Mediate • D: Ignore • Evaluate the pro’s and con’s of each option – do you see other options?

23. Outcomes of Suez Shift in balance of power? According to Keylor…

24. #1 • End of Anglo-French influence in the Middle East

25. #2 • Undermines the Atlantic Alliance • Europeans now understand – to their dismay- that they can’t conduct foreign policy w/o approval of Washington

26. #3 • Nasser’s prestige hugely increased

27. #4 • USSR gets reputation for being a champion of Arab causes • West seen as weak

28. #5 • As E. Europe is trying to resist Soviet influence, the third world is turning toward their style of gov’t • Many newly independent countries, i.e. India, Ghana, work with socialist-style economies

29. #6 • Eisenhower Doctrine: - read speech • Response to several aspects of ME policy • Suez • Baghdad Pact goals • Attempt to create a Truman Doctrine-like policy for the Middle East • Good Idea? Explain….