Neutral Swaggering: American Involvement in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War

Abstract

This paper argues that America’s involvement in the October War (1973 Arab-Israeli conflict) was a dual venture to both entrench diplomatic relations between Egypt and Israel, as well as to develop relationships with two potential American patrons. The article examines the unique political context of the 1970s to explain how political patronage with Egypt and Israel was made possible not only by the Soviet Union’s waning regional influence, but also by the Presidency of Anwar Sadat, Henry Kissinger’s unique rhetorical techniques as American Secretary of State,and Europe’s reduced patronage of the region. It finds that by using swaggering, or the threatened use of force, the US was able to cement economic and diplomatic control of the region, further its regional goals, such as trade partnerships with Saudi Arabia, and improve diplomatic relations with NATO allies.