I. 1948–1957 The Arab-Israeli conflict evolved within two frameworks, the region

I. 1948–1957
The Arab-Israeli conflict evolved within two frameworks, the regional one within the Middle East and
the global environment characterized by the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the Communist
bloc on the one hand and the Western powers, notably the United States, Britain, and France, on the
other. These files focus more on the region, though some (FO 371 files for 1950-51) consider the
likelihood of a Middle East Command, to serve as a bulwark against communist influence, that might
include Israel.
Britain’s role in the region during this period was defined by her ongoing imperial obligations. She
was deeply committed to Jordan, whose creation she had authored at the end of World War I, and
likewise to Iraq for which she had had a mandate following that conflict. Palestinian and Jordanian
issues are covered extensively in these files, especially because of ongoing Israeli-Jordanian tensions.
Initially these arose over definitions of frontiers and fears that Israeli pressure might destabilize King
Abdullah’s regime whose Arab Legion was commanded by Sir John Glubb, a British subject.
Abdullah’s plight was accentuated by strong, and well-founded, suspicion among other Arab rulers
and many Palestinians that, with British approval, he had conspired with Israel to divide Palestine.
Files FO 816/172, PREM 11/392 and FO 371/90287, 91431, 19789, 91796-98, 91838-39, and 96986

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The Arab-Israeli conflict evolved within two frameworks, the region appeared first on Excel Essay Helpers.