The combatant states made the key decisions for war and peace. The superpowers armed and restrained them, and the UN managed ceasefires and borders.
The combatant states drove events. Arab states chose war in 1948 and 1973, Nasser's moves triggered 1967, and Israel struck first in 1956 and 1967. Sadat and Begin chose peace in 1977-1979.
The Soviet Union armed Egypt and Syria from 1955, which made new wars possible. The USA became Israel's main arms supplier after 1967. Each superpower was drawn in to protect its client.
Yet the superpowers also restrained their clients. In 1956 the USA forced Britain, France and Israel to withdraw. In 1973 both pressed for a ceasefire to avoid a direct clash. The USA then became the essential mediator.
The UN created the partition plan, arranged armistices and ceasefires, and set the terms for peace in Resolution 242. Its peacekeepers kept borders quiet for long periods.
But the UN depended on the consent of the combatants and the support of the superpowers. It could not prevent wars or enforce Resolution 242.
- Soviet arms
- To Egypt and Syria from 1955.
- US support
- Israel's main arms supplier after 1967.
- US mediation
- Kissinger and Carter, 1973-1979.
Worked example: Comparing actors
Who did most to shape the conflict?
- Combatants: the decisions for war and peace.
- Superpowers: arms, restraint and mediation.
- UN: legitimacy, ceasefires and observers.
- Judgement: combatants first, superpowers second, the UN third.
Watch out for this
The superpowers controlled their Middle Eastern allies.
Clients often acted on their own. Nasser in 1967 and Sadat in 1973 made choices that their patrons did not control.
Check your understanding
How did the USA restrain its allies in 1956?
- It used financial pressure to force Britain to withdraw from Suez.
- It sent troops to fight Israel.
- It vetoed UNEF.