Question

What was the Soviet Union's main motivation for providing military support to Egypt during the Suez Canal crisis?

A. It wished to reward Egypt for opposing the state of Israel's creation.
B. It wished to create a military base from which it could attack Israel.
C. It wished to win loyalty in the Cold War from a nonaligned nation.
D. It wished to maintain a monopoly over the transportation links the canal provided.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

C. It wished to win loyalty in the Cold War from a nonaligned nation.

Nasser had been trying to position himself as a non-aligned Arab leader after he took power in Egypt. He also nationalized the Suez canal, provoking a conflict between himself and Britain,Israel and France, where the three countries attacked Egypt to seize the canal. The soviet union on the other hand was looking to gain a mileage in the Arab nations and saw an opportunity in the conflict, which they succeeded. the soviet did not give military support to the Egyptians directly, but through the Warsaw pacts nations. Mainly,they gave a lot of political support.