on July 26, 1956—only one week after the United States withdrew funding—in order to help fund the construction of the Aswan High Dam. To compound matters, the Soviet Union took on the responsibility of funding the project and proceeded to strengthen its relationship with the emerging Middle Eastern power. This move increased anxiety in Israel since its neighbor to the south had solidified ties with a bona fide military power.The second excerpt, “Excerpts from President Eisenhower’s Address”, outlined the crisis that ensued. The nationalization of the Suez Canal had angered France and Great Britain, the two nations that primarily benefited from the collection of tolls. Israel was still uneasy due to the armament of Egypt. The result of this tension was the mobilization of French, British, and Israeli military forces. The United States proceeded to address the United Nations regarding the military conflict taking place in Egypt and requested the retreat of military forces in the region. However, the motion was vetoed by France, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. After their first attempt had failed, the United States requested that the United Nations General Assembly meet regarding the situation. The tone of Eisenhower’s address was that the United States was seeking stability—mainly for Israel’s sake—in the Middle East, and the Suez Crisis had disrupted the landscape. While Eisenhower succeeded in getting the attention of the United Nations, he also used this address to denounce the use of force by its three allies.The Soviet Union had a different take on the situation in Egypt, as is evident from the third excerpt, “Letter from Premier Bulganin to Eisenhower”. Bulganin suggested that the optimal course of action was for the United States to help stop the war in the Middle East. More specifically, he proposed a collaboration of Soviet and American forces in an...
