Archive Report
Archive Report
Conflict Over Defense Preparations
Middle East Demonstration of War Risks
Fear of general war was raised throughout the world by the sudden new crisis in the Middle East. Quickly following the overthrow of the government of Iraq on July 14, U.S. marines were landed in Lebanon and British paratroopers in Jordan to discourage similar Arab nationalist coups in those countries. President Eisenhower in a special message to Congress, July 15, acknowledged that the landings at Beirut might have “serious consequences.” Moscow and Peiping immediately voiced charges of Western aggression.
Secretary of State Dulles told the Senate Appropriations Committee, July 18, that this was “a grave moment in history.” On the same day U.S. Ambassador Raymond A. Hare at Cairo formally warned the United Arab Republic that “Any ...