Resolving the Suez Crisis:
Successful Debate & Diplomacy in the Cold War
Recenently elected President of the United Arab Republic Gamal Abdel Nasser speaking at Republic Square, Cairo, 22 February 1958, The Times of Israel.
Nasser's Motivation
The Egyptians sunk ships at Port Said to block the entrance, which the Royal Navy cleared, Imperial War Museum.
CIA Map of the Strait of Tiran, Department of State.
President Nasser following his announcement of the seizure of the Suez, cvce.eu.
On July 26, 1956, Nasser publicly ordered his troops to seize the canal, further inflaming Arab nationalism and pitting Western powers against one another. Economically, Nasser wanted nationalized control of the Suez Canal to toll ships for the domestic construction of the Aswan Dam.
Nasser on route to raise flag over Navy House, 18 June 1956, Gulf News.
Egypt seizing control of the Suez Canal and symbolically hoisting their flag, UPI.com.
President Nasser at the Suez Canal, Gulf News.
“This, O citizens, is the battle in which we are now involved. It is a battle against imperialism and the methods and tactics of imperialism, and a battle against Israel, the vanguard of imperialism… Arab nationalism progresses. Arab nationalism triumphs. Arab nationalism marches forward; it knows its road and it knows its strength. Arab nationalism knows who are its enemies and who are its friends.”
“At this moment as I talk to you some of your Egyptian brethren… have started to take over the canal company and its property and to control shipping in the canal--the canal which is situated in Egyptian territory, which… is part of Egypt and which is owned by Egypt.”
"Tonight our Egyptian canal will be run by Egyptians!"
~ President Nasser, 26 July 1956, Kissinger Diplomacy
Russian SU-100 tank that Egypt used against British forces at El Gamil Airfield, Imperial War Museum.
Egyptian DOMIAT survivors after being sunk by the HMS Newfoundland, Imperial War Museum.
Egyptian Diplomacy
Nasser at the Presidential Palace of Damascus, 1958, Orient News.
Nasser giving a speech blocking Israeli access to the Suez, The Sun.
Furthermore, Nasser successfully incited debate in the UN, knowing that the United States and USSR were stronger and would compel de-escalation. Nasser morally pressured Britain and France to withdraw, securing an economic and political stronghold in the region.
Dr. Mercogliano: Debate & Diplomacy
Personal interview with Dr. Mercogliano via Zoom on 17 January 2022.
Egyptian Victory
Nasser along with diplomats from India, Ghana, Indonesia, and Yugoslavia meet regarding an Afro-Arab League, 1960, Jadaliyya.
Nasser observing Aswan High Dam construction, Wikimedia.
Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970 with the USSR, Britannica.
The Egyptian Government diplomatically succeeded by gaining international sympathy; they illustrated themselves as an independent democracy breaking away from Britain’s colonial empire. They caused the United States to debate to end the conflict in the UN before escalating to nuclear war.