e of the lack of American military intervention. Since the Americans did not deploy any force, the French and British felt that they were at the mercy of the Soviet Union in the region because of its military ties with Nasser and Egypt. Ultimately, this collection of excerpts regarding the Suez Crisis indicates the foreign affairs policies of the United States and Soviet Union during the Cold War in the 1950’s. While the Soviet Union was under Kruschev’s rule, their foreign policy towards the United States was one of “peaceful coexistence.” However, the United States tried not to play into this policy. The goal of each nation was to achieve influence in as much of the world as possible in an effort to prevent the spread of the opposing nation’s government ideals. The Middle East was no exception. While these documents on the Suez Crisis may demonstrate the superpowers’ goal of peace in the region, each nation had ulterior motives. Both nations wanted to spread their influence to a region in which they had an interest. Specifically, the United States was concerned with the well being of Israel, while it was also trying to establish diplomatic ties with Arab nations in order to prevent the spread of communism to a region wealthy in natural resources. The United States’ request for Israel to disengage militarily along the Sinai Peninsula as well as their lack of military intervention—which consequently forced the retreat of French and British forces—was viewed favorably by the Arab states. Indirectly, the United States had helped to bring an end to the Suez Crisis. The Soviet Union, meanwhile, had strategic interest in the welfare of Egypt. With Nasser gaining a great deal of respect among Arab nations for nationalizing the Suez Canal, building the Aswan High Dam, and the expulsion of British and French influence, his influence and clout in the region increased. The Soviet U...
