Britain's war in the Middle East : strategy and diplomacy, 1936-1942

During the early years of the Second World War, Britain devoted immense resources to building military bases in Egypt and Palestine. The political stability of the two countries was of prime concern to avoid diverting troops away from fighting the external enemy to internal security tasks. The paradox of Britain's eventual victory was that it could not perpetuate its political authority. Demands for independence intensified in Egypt and among Palestinian Jewry, and led to postwar struggles. "During the early years of the Second World War, Britain saw retaining control of the Middle East as essential, and devoted immense resources to building military bases there. The political stability of Egypt and Palestine was of prime concern to avoid diverting troops away from fighting the external enemy to internal security tasks. But Britain's position in the region had been weakened by the prolonged rebellion of 1936-39 in Palestine over Jewish immigration. Pan-Arab nationalism was energized, and Mussolini wanted to take advantage of the instability. Although Italian forces suffered defeats in late 1940, the dangers increased when Hitler intervened. The Germans conquered Greece and Crete in 1941, and Rommel's forces threatened Egypt. Although Britain achieved victory, it was unable to maintain its political authority. Demands for independence intensified in Egypt and among Palestine Jewry. The postwar struggles in those countries had their origins in the stormy period which this book analyses."--BOOK JACKET Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-16 British Strategic Policy, 1936–8....Pages 17-31 Political Uncertainties in Egypt during the Interwar Period....Pages 32-47 Palestine 1936–8: the Reshaping of British Policy....Pages 48-69 The Policy of Appeasement: the White Paper on Palestine and Jewish Refugees....Pages 70-92 British Strategic Policy, 1939–June 1940....Pages 93-121 Defence Issues in Egypt and Palestine, 1939–40....Pages 122-144 British Strategic Policy, July 1940–June 1941....Pages 145-169 British Intervention in Egyptian Politics....Pages 170-187 Wartime Policy towards Palestine....Pages 188-206 Conclusion....Pages 207-219 Back Matter....Pages 220-308 Martin Kolinsky. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.