Between 1956 and 1963, the Middle East was transformed by the Arab Cold War — an ideological and political struggle between rival Arab states — and Gamal Abdel Nasser’s leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement, which sought independence from both Western and Soviet blocs.

The Arab Cold War: Origins and Context

The term Arab Cold War refers to the ideological and geopolitical rivalry between revolutionary Arab nationalist regimes, led by Egypt under Gamal Abdel Nasser, and conservative monarchies, particularly Saudi Arabia and Jordan, from 1956 to 1963. Like the global Cold War, it involved propaganda, proxy conflicts, alliances, and coups, but within an Arab context.

The Suez Crisis of 1956 marked a pivotal starting point. Nasser’s nationalisation of the Suez Canal and Egypt’s defiance of Britain, France, and Israel elevated him as the symbol of Arab nationalism and resistance to imperialism. His success in the crisis emboldened revolutionary movements across the region.

Key causes of the Arab Cold War included:

• The spread of Arab nationalism and Pan-Arabism, challenging traditional monarchies.

• The weakening of colonial powers, creating a vacuum for regional leadership.

• The influence of the global Cold War, which shaped alliances and interventions.

Nasser’s Ideological Leadership

Nasser became the most prominent advocate of Pan-Arabism, the belief that Arab peoples should unite politically and culturally in a single bloc.

He promoted a revolutionary, republican model of governance, opposing monarchies seen as reactionary and aligned with Western interests. His regime encouraged anti-imperialist sentiment, socialist reforms, and Arab unity, influencing movements from Iraq to Yemen.

Nasser’s Voice of the Arabs radio broadcasts spread his message widely, criticising monarchies and calling for popular uprisings. Egypt’s prestige also grew through its support for anti-colonial struggles, notably in Algeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

Conservative Monarchies and Reaction

The revolutionary tide led by Nasser was resisted by conservative monarchies, especially Saudi Arabia under King Saud and later King Faisal, as well as Jordan under King Hussein. These regimes viewed Nasserism as a threat to their legitimacy and stability.

Conservative states responded through:

• Counter-propaganda, portraying Nasser as a destabilising radical.

• Financial support for rival groups and states opposed to Egypt.

• Closer alliances with Western powers, particularly the United States and Britain, to bolster their security.

The rivalry became not only ideological but also sectarian, with monarchies emphasising their Islamic credentials against Nasser’s secular, socialist rhetoric.

Flashpoints and Proxy Conflicts

The Arab Cold War played out in a series of political crises and proxy conflicts that reshaped the region:

Iraq 1958: Revolution and Regime Change

In July 1958, a military coup overthrew the Hashemite monarchy in Iraq, inspired in part by Nasserist ideals. The new republican regime aligned more closely with Egypt, intensifying fears among conservative states of a revolutionary domino effect.

United Arab Republic (1958–1961)

Nasser achieved a symbolic victory for Pan-Arabism with the formation of the United Arab Republic (UAR) — a political union of Egypt and Syria in 1958. However, Syrian disillusionment with Egyptian dominance led to its withdrawal in 1961, a blow to Nasser’s credibility but not to his regional influence.

United Arab Republic, 1958–1961. This map shows the short-lived union of Egypt and Syria at the height of Nasser’s Pan-Arab project during the Arab Cold War. It provides a clear geographic reference for the UAR’s scope and limits. Source

Yemen Civil War 1962–1963

The most significant proxy conflict of the Arab Cold War erupted in North Yemen. After a republican coup in 1962 deposed the imam, Egypt sent troops to support the new regime, while Saudi Arabia and Jordan backed royalist forces. The conflict became a protracted struggle reflecting the broader ideological divide, draining Egyptian resources and intensifying regional hostility.

North Yemen Civil War, 1963–64 (selected operations). This map highlights key fronts and movements during the early republican–royalist fighting, clarifying where the proxy struggle unfolded. Extra detail includes specific battle routes and dates beyond the core syllabus. Source

The Non-Aligned Movement and Nasser’s Global Role

The Arab Cold War was deeply intertwined with the global Cold War, and Nasser sought to navigate this context through leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Nasser’s foreign policy aimed to secure Egypt’s independence from both superpowers while leveraging their rivalry for economic and military aid. He balanced relations with the United States, which provided funding for the Aswan Dam before withdrawing support, and the Soviet Union, which stepped in with military and economic assistance.

Nasser’s stature grew after attending the Bandung Conference (1955), which laid the foundations for the NAM. Egypt, alongside India’s Nehru, Yugoslavia’s Tito, and Indonesia’s Sukarno, became a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961.

Belgrade Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, 1961. Delegates assembled in Yugoslavia to articulate principles of sovereignty, non-interference and anti-imperialism—key themes linked in the notes to Nasser’s global role. This image offers a concise visual of the summit’s scale and diplomatic context. Source

The movement’s principles — sovereignty, non-interference, and anti-imperialism — resonated strongly in the Middle East. Through NAM, Nasser positioned Egypt as a leader of the Global South, linking Arab nationalism with broader struggles for decolonisation and independence.

Decline and Legacy by 1963

By 1963, the momentum of the Arab Cold War began to shift. The economic and military burden of the Yemen War strained Egypt’s resources. Setbacks like the collapse of the UAR exposed the limits of Pan-Arab unity, and conservative monarchies had successfully resisted revolutionary overthrow.

However, the period cemented Nasser’s status as the pre-eminent Arab leader, and the ideological divide between revolutionary republics and conservative monarchies persisted. The Non-Aligned Movement gave Egypt enduring global influence, while the rivalries and alliances formed during the Arab Cold War continued to shape Middle Eastern politics well beyond 1963.