ABSTRACT
During this period the Soviet Union made several gains, some the result of changing political conditions, others the result of deliberate decisions. It gained another ally (Iraq), it had plenty of opportunities to denounce the West, and it drew economic links with Egypt closer when it finally agreed to finance the Aswan High Dam. The Lebanese crisis erupted in the summer of 1958. After President Chamoun had asked for President Eisenhower's assistance, American troops landed in July with a force twice the size of the Lebanese army. Chamoun faced two problems at the time. Civil war did, however, break out; as it gathered momentum Chamoun requested US forces under the Eisenhower Doctrine. Anxiety increased when in July 1958 a military coup toppled the monarchy in Iraq. Chamoun was succeeded by Fouad Shahab in July, and by October the American Marines had left Lebanon.
