So began the 1956 Arab-Israeli Suez war, a conflict that is now all but forgotten though it was a major historic turning point for all concerned.

Algeria has risen up against French colonial rule. A ferocious guerilla war was raging.  The Socialist government in Paris was too arrogant to admit that anyone could revolt against the glories of French rule. Instead, Paris blamed the revolt on machinations by Egypt's nationalist strongman, Gamal Abdel Nasser.  In fact, Egypt's role was minor.

Great Britain believed its last remaining colonies and protectorates in the Mideast – Iraq, Kuwait, the emirates, Oman, Libya, Jordan, and even Saudi Arabia – were being threatened by a rising tide of Arab nationalism inspired by Egypt's fiery Nasser.

The new state of Israel worried that Nasser might indeed unite the Arabs and champion the recently expelled Palestinians.