ABSTRACT
The end of the Second World War was the beginning of a new war – the Cold War. This war was being conducted between the two primary powers, the United States, the new leader of the Western world, and the Soviet Union, the leader of the Eastern bloc. Soviet activity in the Middle East was intended to slow down the efforts of Western powers to found and reinforce Middle East defence organizations under their domination. Soviet policy towards Israel and the Arab–Israeli conflict since the establishment of Israel had been bitterly and indignantly received by Egypt and the Arab states. This policy was expressed by the consistent support given to Israel at the UN by the Soviet bloc. Before the Second World War, trade between the Soviet Union and Egypt had been practically at a standstill because for many years there had been no commercial agreements between the two countries.
