In the 1950s Britain was reeling from a major financial crises brought about by the Second World War … We started suffering from a huge identity crisis as we entered this brave new post-war era. Tony Robinson, Britain’s Forgotten Wars III: Suez, Channel 4 2011
Britain and allied France had no intention of giving up control of the Suez Canal. When Egypt seized the canal, cool heads should have prevailed. ibid.
The 1956 invasion of the Suez canal zone turned Britain from a global superpower into an international embarrassment all in the space of just nine days … The soldiers on the ground had to face the consequences. ibid.
The Nile flood was only a metre or two below average; hearing that the country was so debilitated, Napoleon seized the initiative and conquered Egypt. Ancient Apocalypse: Death on the Nile, BBC 2001
This is the story of how the government of the United Kingdom decided to attack an Arab nation. Of how afraid its oil supplies were under threat it embarked on a strategy of regime change. Of how Britain deliberately bypassed the United Nations. And of how a British prime minister led the nation to war based on suspect intelligence. But this isn’t Iraq 2003. This is Egypt 1956. These are British paratroopers fighting on the orders of British prime minister Anthony Eden. The Other Side of Suez, BBC 2006
This is a war over who will run this Egyptian waterway, the Suez canal, and the vital oil supplies transported through it. ibid.
But in Nasser, Eden encounters a new kind of Arab leader. ibid.
The prime minister and the Americans decide to punish him for cutting a deal with the Soviets. Their response it to mount a covert campaign against Nasser, codenamed Omega. ibid.
Nasser knows that nationalisation is a huge risk. He will have to physically seize control of the canal itself. ibid.
In London, Eden is feeling the strain. He has failed to win the hearts and minds of the Egyptian people. Nasser is more popular than ever … Dealers all over the world dump Sterling. ibid.
The prime minister reluctantly calls a ceasefire ... Plans are made for United Nations’ troops to replace the British and French on the ground. The ceasefire is a humiliating climbdown for Eden and his commanders. ibid.
Dendera [Egypt] is an astronomic temple. It’s stands on the foundations of a much earlier temple. Quest for the Lost Civilisation I: Heaven’s Mirror, Graham Hancock reporting, Channel 4 1998