Adjustment Of Soviet Middle East Policy And Practice (1954-1956)

In the middle of the 20th century, the Middle East policy of the Soviet Union experienced gradual adjustments due to the dramatic changes in international situation and national strategic interests. The thesis explores the context, practice and influences of this policy adjustment from 1954 to 1956.The thesis is divided into four parts:Chapter One concentrates on the Middle-East policy adopted by the Soviet Union in the late 1940s in the situation of the crisis in British dominance over Middle-East. Soviet foreign relations gained access to a more flexible space by means of support in Zionism and in the partition plan for Palestinian, reduction of British influence in the Middle-East, particularly in the Arab world, and reinforcement in the soviet-israel relations.Chapter Two investigates the backgrounds and contexts of the Middle-East policy adjustments of the Soviet Union. Favorable circumstances presented to Soviet Union in terms of the adjustment of the foreign relations between the Soviet Union and an Arab world struggling against colonial oppression, when flourished the postwar national liberation movements in the Middle-East and aggravated the crisis in European colonial system in the Middle-East. Western countries provoked the Cold War and formed a continual blockade against the Soviet Union. The latter, in order to break the besiege, was forced to advance the development of relations with Arab countries and hold high the banner of support in Arab national liberation movement.Chapter Three analyses the changes and practices of the Soviet Union's policies in Egypt. After the overthrow of the Farouk dynasty, Nasser came into power, who persisted in Arab Nationalism, opposed the military alliances schemed by the imperialist powers, and advocated neutralism and nonalignment policies. Western countries proposed the supply of weapons in urgent need under the condition that Nasser changed his policies. The Soviet Union detected an excellent opportunity for the penetration of its powers and influences into the Middle-East. A transaction of weapons was conducted between the Soviet Union and Egypt with Czechoslovakia as an agent. The Soviet Union formed an alliance with Arab countries such as Syria and Yemen through Nasser's influence, put up barriers against U.S. Forces, and undermined the achievement of the Baghdad Pact.Chapter Four explores the changes and practices of the Soviet Union's policies in Israel. As Israel changed its Neutral Policy and adjusted the diplomatic focus, the Soviet Union resolved a termination of diplomatic and military assistance to Israel. The Soviet Union denounced the shift of Israeli ground from a neutral state to a weapon of the colonial state. An anti-semitic campaign stirred up in the country. The Soviet Union expressed sympathy for the Arab world, leveled a reproach against Israeli aggression into Arab countries, and lent a helping hand to the Arab majority instead of Israel. The Middle-East conflict rooted in such practices of the Soviet Union as exerting pressure upon Israel, preventing the latter from joining the Western alliance, and accusing the U.S. of colonial rule.In conclusion, the policy adjustment and the practice of the Middle-East policy of the Soviet Union conform to its social conditions, foreign policies and changes in the external environment. The Soviet Union, during the Khrushchev period, gained a crucial opportunity to fight against the United States and to get established in the Middle-East by means of penetrating the Soviet forces into the majority of the world's underdeveloped regions.