Suez War

Background
In 1869, the Suez Canal was opened after ten years of work and instantly became strategically important; it provided the shortest ocean link between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. From 1875 to 1956, Great Britain had owned the Canal proper, its finances, and operations (The French being the majority stockholders). At the 1888 Convention of Constantinople, the Canal was declared a neutral zone under British protection, and ships were allowed the pass through without hinderance in times of war and peace. This remained the same until July 25, 1956...

The Road to War
In 1956, the Republic of Egypt leaned toward the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War. On July 19, 1956, President Eisenhower withdrew all financial aid for the Aswan High Dam, hoping to teach Egypt a lesson. Nasser earlier had purchased Soviet millitary equiptment via Czechoslovakia and recognized the People's Republic of China.

Nationalization
On a July 26, 1956, President Nasser responded to America by giving a speech in Alexandria, Egypt. In his speech were the words "Ferdinand de Lesseps", the builder of ther Canal, and the code-word for Egyptian forces to seize the Canal. He then announced the nationalization of the Canal and the freezing of the Suez Canal Company's assets. That same day, he declared that the Canal and the Straits of Tiran would be closed to all Israeli shipping in violation of the Convention of Constantinople and the Armistice of 1949.

The West's Reactions
Between July and October, conferences to come to an agreement on the Canal with Egypt proved fruitless. Elder stateman, Robert Menzies even presented an offer for the Canal to remain an "international waterway free of politics or national discrimination" but was turned down by Nasser as a "derogation from Egyptian sovereignty". Britain, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Eden, was ready to go to war at that point, but President Einsenhower was strongly opposed to the idea, as the U.S.A. was trying to increase its influence in the region. France was also ready to go to war and remove Nasser from power and sent Admiral Nomy to invite them to join. However, by millitary action, they were taking the risk of angering Washington. As a result, Britain concluded a secret alliance with France and Israel in an attempt to take back the Suez Canal.

War
On October 29, 1956, Israel then initiated Operation Kadesh: to capture Sharm-el-Sheikh, which would allow it to restore the trade benefits of secure passage to the Indian Ocean. Israel launched a lightning attack and captured the Rafa, Arish, Abu Uwayula, and Sharm-el-Sheik, destoying Egypt's strategic operations in the entire peninsula. On October 30, Britain and France sent ultimatums to Egypt. Nasser responded by sinking all 40 ships in the Canal, blocking all shipping. On October 31, Eden and French PM, Guy Mollet, initiated Operation Musketeer and Alexandria was taken in an assault from the sea. 80,000 British and French troops landed in Egypt. Shortly after, Egypt's air bases were bombed and Tripartite (British, French, and Israeli) air supremecy was established. In Port Said, Royal Marines engaged in urban combat, and soon took the city. French and British paratroopers, and along with other naval assaults soon placed the entire northern Egyptian coast, as well as the Canal in Tripartite hands. With Sinai and Gaza under the control of Israel, the three allies met the Egyptain army outside of Cairo. On November 6, the Battle of Cairo ended with the seizure of Egypt and the Canal by Britain, France, and Israel. Although under pressure from the United States, who had NATO boycott the sale of oil to Britain, France, and Israel, Sir Anthony Eden declared victory on November 6. Nasser had commited suicide and Egypt was now under the control of the Tripartite alliance.

Aftermath
By December 1956, the Suez Canal was reopened.