Soviet+Point+of+View

** Soviet Point Of View (for the Baghdad Pact)  ** -The Soviets were eager to embarrass and challenge the Western world/NATO, and a foothold in the Arab world would do just that. -The Soviets wanted to help in a shift in the international balance of power. -They had been an early supporter of Israel (because of the socialist ideology of the Yishuv) -They supported the UN partition resolution (it got Britain out of Palestine). Soviet arms helped Israel to win its war of independence. -The USSR was the first country to extend full “de jure recognition” to Israel. -Israel’s reliance on American aid worsened its relations with Russia. In 1952, the USSR began an anti-Jewish and anti-Israel campaign. -As these relations worsened, the USSR turned to Egypt for the chance to undermine the West’s power and the Baghdad Pact.
 * Madeline Crone **