Soviet Union and Egypt, 1947-1955.

This research deals with the political history of the Middle East, with special reference to Egypt. It aims to explore, describe and analyse the events which led to the involvement of the Soviet Union in Egyptian affairs. Attention is given to the domestic and foreign developments in the U.S.S.R., Egypt and the Middle East in general, which created a favourable atmosphere for Soviet penetration into Egypt. It examines the change in the Soviet position towards the Arab-Israeli conflict after the partition resolution of 29 November 1947 was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. This study disproves the current belief that arms supplies from the Soviet bloc to Egypt started in September 1955; it shows that such supplies were reaching Egypt as early as 1948. Furthermore it shows that Soviet-Egyptian commercial relations increased steadily from 1948 until 1955. The dynamics of Soviet penetration into the area can only be understood by tracing the roots and motives of Soviet policy after the Second World War. The strengthening of Soviet influence and the improvement of their position in Egypt in the second half of 1955, was a result of a long process of gradual political and ideological developments in Egypt, beginning in the late 1940's. The pre-1955 agreements, so far neglected, are of vital importance in the establishment of Soviet hegemony over Egypt and other Arab countries. The study examines the interaction between political history and the history of ideas. It assumes that there was a gap between ideology and Realpolitik in the Soviet approach towards the Third World generally and the Arab World in particular. The research is based upon extensive use of British, American and Israeli official files, as well as Arabic and Soviet primary and secondary sources