70 Years After the Suez Crisis, America Learns the Limits of Its Power
Summary
The article compares the 1956 Suez Crisis with the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, arguing that economic pressure can limit military power. It says President Dwight Eisenhower used financial and diplomatic pressure to force Britain and France to halt their invasion of Egypt, while Iran’s ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has created economic risks during the current conflict.Key Facts
- On November 5, 1956, British and French forces began an assault near Port Said, after Israeli forces advanced into Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
- Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser had nationalized the company operating the Suez Canal in July 1956.
- Egyptian forces deliberately sank ships in the Suez Canal, blocking oil shipments.
- President Dwight Eisenhower refused to support Britain while its troops occupied Egypt and threatened to sell U.S. holdings of British pounds.
- Britain and France halted their offensive and later withdrew their troops under economic and diplomatic pressure.
- British Prime Minister Anthony Eden resigned in January 1957.
- The article says the Strait of Hormuz carried roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum before the current war.
- The article says Iran’s military retains the ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz despite U.S. and Israeli strikes.
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