The Suez crisis of 1955-1956

This study will focus on the evolution of Great Powers-Arab relations from September 1955 to the end of 1956. The most important developments in this period were Nasser's decision to nationalize the Suez Canal Company and the subsequent British-French-Israeli invasion of Egypt. The Suez crisis marked a radical shift in both international and regional balance of power. Washington and Moscow replaced London and Paris as the dominant global players in the Middle East. Nasser's Egypt emerged as the dominant state in the Arab world. Nasser also began to serve as an icon and spokesman for Arab nationalism and for independence from the Great Powers. As a result, Egypt became a major force to be reckoned with by outside actors.