Changes

In the early 1950s, Nassar sought funding for the Aswan High Dam, a project which would dam the Nile preventing damaging seasonal flooding, and provide hydroelectric power.  Initially, the United States had agreed to fund it, but given the expulsion of British troops, the United States was pressured to withdraw support.  In retaliation for the United States reneging on their pledge of support, Nassar nationalized the canal in 1956 following the withdrawal of British troops and planned to use funds generated by the canal to fund the dam.  He further declared the canal closed to Israeli ships and cargo.

In the early 1950s, Nassar sought funding for the Aswan High Dam, a project which would dam the Nile preventing damaging seasonal flooding, and provide hydroelectric power.  Initially, the United States had agreed to fund it, but given the expulsion of British troops, the United States was pressured to withdraw support.  In retaliation for the United States reneging on their pledge of support, Nassar nationalized the canal in 1956 following the withdrawal of British troops and planned to use funds generated by the canal to fund the dam.  He further declared the canal closed to Israeli ships and cargo.

The British and French responded to this by secretly colluding with Isreal to retake the canal by force. It was agreed that the Israelis would invade the Sinai Peninsula, giving a pretext for British and French forces to "intervene" and bring about a "peace plan" that would require them to assume control of the canal, nominally as a buffer zone between Egyptian and Isreali forces. The plan failed when the United States, whom the United Kingdom was increasingly depend upon militarily but had intentionally kept in the dark about her plans, reacted furiously once the conflict began. Fearful of an escalation of the conflict involving the Soveit Union and Warsaw Pact, and angry that other NATO members had conspired againt NATO interests, the US demanded an immediate withdrawal, and led to the first [[United Nations]] peacekeeping force to be deployed to the Sinai, resulting in the withdrawal of Israeli troops back to prewar borders, and the exit of the British and French forces from the theater. Britain and France, who had vetoed two UNSC resolutions agreed to withdraw within one week only after President [[Eisenhower]] threatened to dump US reserves of the British pound and French franc, which would have ruined the fragile post-war economies of Britain and France.   

The British and French responded to this by secretly colluding with Isreal to retake the canal by force. It was agreed that the Israelis would invade the Sinai Peninsula, giving a pretext for British and French forces to "intervene" and bring about a "peace plan" that would require them to assume control of the canal, nominally as a buffer zone between Egyptian and Isreali forces. The plan failed when the United States, whom the United Kingdom was increasingly depend upon militarily but had intentionally kept in the dark about her plans, reacted furiously once the conflict began. Fearful of an escalation of the conflict involving the Soveit Union and [[Warsaw Pact]], and angry that other NATO members had conspired againt NATO interests, the US demanded an immediate withdrawal, and led to the first [[United Nations]] peacekeeping force to be deployed to the Sinai, resulting in the withdrawal of Israeli troops back to prewar borders, and the exit of the British and French forces from the theater. Britain and France, who had vetoed two UNSC resolutions agreed to withdraw within one week only after President [[Eisenhower]] threatened to dump US reserves of the British pound and French franc, which would have ruined the fragile post-war economies of Britain and France.   

During the conlifct the canal was blocked by vessels scuppered by Egyptian forces. It reopened in 1957, still nationalised, and with relations between Egypt and west effectivly in deep freeze. The [[Soviet Union]] designed, funded and oversaw construction of the [[Aswan Dam|Aswan High Dam]].

During the conlifct the canal was blocked by vessels scuppered by Egyptian forces. It reopened in 1957, still nationalised, and with relations between Egypt and west effectivly in deep freeze. The [[Soviet Union]] designed, funded and oversaw construction of the [[Aswan Dam|Aswan High Dam]].