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Egypt
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Egypt, together with other Arab states, goes to war with Israel. Israel's ties with the United States cause Egyptians to harbour anti-American sentiments.
A faction in the Egyptian army called the Free Officers take control of the government. This bloodless coup is led by General Nasser. The monarchy is abolished and Egypt is declared a republic.
Egypt refuses to join the Baghdad Pact. This is a treaty signed by Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan, and supported by the United Kingdom and the United States with the intention of countering the threat of Soviet/Communist expansion in the Middle East.
Egypt buys arms from Communist Czechoslovakia to boost up its military strength. This takes place after a surprise attack by the Israeli army in February.
Nasser becomes the president of Egypt.
Nasser nationalises the Suez Canal Company. He does this in retaliation of the United State's withdrawal of funds previously promised for the construction of the Aswan Dam. This move infuriates the British and French to whom the waterway is very vital.
The long-standing dispute over Sudan ends when Sudan announces its independence, recognised by both Egypt and Great Britain.
Israel, barred from the canal, attacks Egypt. Britain and France join in on the side of Israel. Israel takes the Gaza Strip and most of the Sinai Peninsula. Britain and France re-occupy the canal zone. Within a week, the United Nations intervenes and requests that the captured lands be returned to Egypt.
Egypt, then renamed the United Arab Republic (UAR), reimposes a blockade on the Strait of Tiran, cutting off Israeli ships from the Gulf of Aqaba.
Israel launches a surprise air attack on the UAR, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. This is known as the Six-Day War. Israel takes the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsular from the UAR. Nasser responds by breaking diplomatic relations with the United States, whom he accuses of aiding Israel. He also closes the Suez Canal. Nasser also seeks more Soviet military aid.
Anwar-al-Sadat becomes president after Nasser's death. He removes many of his political rivals from positions of power. He changes the country's name to the Arab Republic of Egypt in September 1971.
Egypt and the Soviet Union sign a friendship treaty.
Sadat asks the Soviet military advisers in Egypt to leave the country in retaliation of the Soviet Union's reluctance to provide Egypt with certain weapons.
Egypt and Syria agree to launch a joint attack on Israel on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. The United States and the Soviet Union get involved to end the conflict.
Following a visit to Egypt by President Nixon, a treaty is signed between the two countries. The United States agree to provide Egypt with knowledge of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Egyptian president Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin meet in Camp David in the United States to negotiate peace settlements. Sadat signs the Camp David Accords, which call for Israeli's withdrawal from the Sinai in return for full diplomatic ties with Egypt.
Egyptian president Sadat is assassinated by a group of Islamic officers who opposed the Camp David Accords. Hosni Mubarak takes over as president.
Under the leadership of president Hosni Mubarak, Egypt is readmitted to the Arab League. Mubarak tries to maintain ties with the United States, at the same time placating the other Arab countries. Israel returns the last portion of the Sinai that it held to Egypt.
Violence continues to erupt in Egypt as radical Islamic groups attempt to overthrow the government. In return for Egypt's anti-Iraq stance and its sending of troops in the Persian Gulf War (1991), the United States dismisses $7 billion in Egyptian debt.
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