The Cold War and the Middle East

Egypt was a major recipient of Soviet aid during the Cold War, as the Soviet Union sought to gain influence in the region and counter the United States' support for Israel.

The Six-Day War was a conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors that took place in 1967. The war resulted in a decisive Israeli victory and the occupation of the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights.

The United States was a major supporter of Israel during the Cold War, providing military and economic aid to the country. The United States saw Israel as a strategic ally in the region and a bulwark against Soviet influence.

The Camp David Accords were a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt that was signed in 1979. The accords were brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter and resulted in the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Sinai Peninsula and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Egypt.

Afghanistan was a major battleground for the Cold War in the Middle East. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, which led to a decade-long war against the Afghan mujahideen. The United States and other Western countries supported the mujahideen, and the war eventually ended with the withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989.

Operation Desert Storm was the name of the U.S.-led coalition that fought against Iraq in the Gulf War of 1990-1991. The coalition was formed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. The war ended with the liberation of Kuwait and the withdrawal of Iraqi forces.

The Soviet Union was a major supporter of Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War. The Soviet Union provided Iraq with military and economic aid, and also sent military advisers to help the Iraqi army.

Operation Iraqi Freedom was the name of the U.S.-led coalition that invaded Iraq in 2003. The coalition was formed after the United States accused Iraq of possessing weapons of mass destruction. The war ended with the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and the establishment of a new Iraqi government.

Lebanon was a major battleground for the Cold War in the Middle East. The country was divided between Christian and Muslim factions, and the Soviet Union and the United States supported different sides in the conflict. The Lebanese Civil War lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

Israel was a major recipient of U.S. aid during the Cold War. The United States provided Israel with military and economic aid, and also supported Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.

The Oslo Accords were a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization that was signed in 1993. The accords were brokered by Norway and resulted in the establishment of the Palestinian Authority and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Soviet Union was a major supporter of the Palestinian cause during the Cold War. The Soviet Union provided the Palestine Liberation Organization with military and economic aid, and also supported the Palestinian right to self-determination.

Operation Enduring Freedom was the name of the U.S.-led coalition that invaded Afghanistan in 2001. The coalition was formed after the September 11 attacks on the United States, which were carried out by the terrorist group al-Qaeda. The war in Afghanistan is still ongoing.

Syria was a major battleground for the Cold War in the Middle East. The country was divided between pro-Soviet and pro-Western factions, and the Soviet Union and the United States supported different sides in the conflict. The Syrian Civil War began in 2011 and is still ongoing.

Operation New Dawn was the name of the U.S.-led coalition that invaded Iraq in 2014. The coalition was formed after the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) took control of large parts of Iraq. The war against ISIS is still ongoing.