Suez Crisis

The Suez Crisis of 1956 was a diplomatic and military conflict triggered by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal, a key waterway for international trade, previously controlled by British and French interests. In response, Israel, Britain, and France launched a military operation to regain control and remove Nasser. However, the crisis escalated, leading to international pressure from the U.S. and the Soviet Union, prompting the invading forces to withdraw. The crisis highlighted the decline of British and French colonial power and marked a significant moment in Cold War geopolitics, emphasizing the emerging influence of the United States and the Soviet Union in Middle Eastern affairs.