The Quest for Hegemony in the Arab World : The Struggle Over the Baghdad Pact

The struggle between Egypt and Iraq over Arab hegemony constitutes the main theme of this study. Focussing on the struggle over Middle Eastern defense between 1945-58, and culminating in the conflict over the Baghdad Pact (1955-58), it sheds new light on Arab politics during the period under review. This research concentrates predominantly on the regional actors. The underlying assumption is that policies were not necessarily formulated in Washington and London, and that - often enough - major decisions taken in Ankara, Cairo, Baghdad, Damascus, Amman and other Arab capitals affected decision-makers in Western capitals. "The Quest for Hegemony in the Arab World" is based on newly-released British, American and Israeli documents, as well as on all available Arab sources. The study's value rests upon its discussion of the Baghdad Pact, a significant event which was hitherto neglected, yet marked a watershed in modern Arab history. This study's approach offers an analytical framework with which the present struggle for hegemony in the Arab world may be examined. The Struggle Between Egypt And Iraq Over Arab Hegemony Constitutes The Main Theme Of This Study. Focussing On The Struggle Over Middle Eastern Defense Between 1945-58, And Culminating In The Conflict Over The Baghdad Pact (1955-58), It Sheds New Light On Arab Politics During The Period Under Review. This Research Concentrates Predominantly On The Regional Actors. The Underlying Assumption Is That Policies Were Not Necessarily Formulated In Washington And London, And That - Often Enoughmajor Decisions Taken In Ankara, Cairo, Baghdad, Damascus, Amman And Other Arab Capitals Affected Decision-makers In Western Capitals. The Quest For Hegemony In The Arab World Is Based On Newly-released British, American And Israeli Documents, As Well As On All Available Arab Sources. The Study's Value Rests Upon Its Discussion Of The Baghdad Pact, A Significant Event Which Was Hitherto Neglected, Yet Marked A Watershed In Modern Arab History. This Study's Approach Offers An Analytical Framework With Which The Present Struggle For Hegemony In The Arab World May Be Examined. I. The Egyptian-iraqi Struggle For Hegemony In The Arab World -- Ii. Western Attempts At Forming A Regional Defense Organization, 1945-53 -- Iii. A General Rehearsal: The Arab Struggle Over The Turco-pakistani Agreement -- Iv. Collision Course: The Origins Of The Egyptian-iraqi Rift -- V. The Die Is Cast: The Turco-iraqi Pact -- Vi. Syria: The First Round In The Arab Struggle -- Vii. Syria: The Climax Of The Arab Struggle -- Viii. The Fateful Hour: The Struggle Over Jordan -- Ix. Iraq Under Siege: Containing The Baghdad Pact In The Arab World -- X. Farewell To The Baghdad Pact. By Elie Podeh. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Table of Contents Preface List of Abbreviations List of Tables Introduction I. The Egyptian-Iraqi Struggle for Hegemony in the Arab World II. Western Attempts at Forming a Regional Defense Organization, 1945-53 III. A General Rehearsal: The Arab Struggle over the Turco-Pakistani Agreement IV. Collision Course: The Origins of the Egyptian-Iraqi Rift V. The Die is Cast: The Turco-Iraqi Pact VI. Syria: The First Round in the Arab Struggle VII. Syria: The Climax of the Arab Struggle VIII. The Fateful Hour: The Struggle over Jordan IX. Iraq Under Siege: Containing the Baghdad Pactin the Arab World X. Farewell to the Baghdad Pact Conclusions Epilogue: Recalling Nuri Al-Sa'id Spirit Appendix One. Pact of Mutual Cooperation Between Iraq and Turkey Appendix Two. Baghdad Pact Organization Bibliography Index This study offers us a fascinating survey of the struggle for Arab hegemony between Iraq and Egypt as portrayed by the events surrounding the question of Middle Eastern defence (1945-58), and accentuated by the struggle over the Baghdad Pact.