Operation Musketeer (1956)

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Operation Musketeer (French: Opération Mousquetaire) was the Anglo-French invasion of Egypt to capture the Suez Canal during the Suez Crisis. It was conducted in October 1956 in coordination with the Israeli armored thrust into the Sinai, which was called Operation Kadesh. Egypt's government, led by President Nasser, was seeking political control over the canal, an effort resisted by the Europeans. Although landing forces quickly established control over major canal facilities, the Egyptians were able to sink obstacles in the canal, rendering it unusable.

Worldwide reaction against Musketeer was massive and negative. The United States led condemnations of the action at the United Nations and in other forums, this marked a sharp break in the “special relationship” between the United States and Britain. Due to political considerations, the Anglo-French forces were withdrawn in December 1956.

Following the British retreat -due to a Pound Sterling devaluation threat by the United States- without warning France and Israel first, and the American veto, France had to change its diplomatic relationship with the Allies that were suddenly perceived as unreliable. Few months later, French president René Coty launched the creation of the brand new military experiments facility C.S.E.M. in the Sahara. It was used by its successor Charles de Gaulle to develop an autonomous nuclear deterrent against USSR as well as every possible threats around the globe. The French atomic bomb Gerboise Bleue was tested in February 1960. In 1966, de Gaulle loose his ties furthermore with the Western Allies by quitting the NATO.