During the early years of World War II, Britain devoted immense resources to building military bases in Egypt and Palestine. The political stability of the two countries was of prime concern to avoid diverting troops away from fighting the external enemy to internal security tasks. The paradox of Britain's eventual victory was that it could not perpetuate its political authority. Demands for independence intensified in Egypt and among Palestinian Jewry, and led to postwar struggles.

Britain emerged from World War II dependent both economically and militarily upon the US. Egypt formed the hub of Britain's imperial interests in the Middle East. However, Britain's inability to maintain a large garrison in the region was clear to the indigenous peoples. In the Arab world itself, the old conservative elites had no solutions for the economic and social distress of the masses, which had been aggravated by the privations of war. These elites were now threatened by a new, Westernised middle stratum, the effendiyya, and tried the risky tactic of diverting the masses' frustration towards the British. This often backfired and even brought down the ancien regime in Egypt. The first Arab-Israeli War in 1948 was also a traumatic event for the region, with the Arab ruling elites' standing further damaged by their unexpected humiliation at the hands of the Israelis.

Britain emerged from World War II dependent both economically and militarily upon the US. Egypt formed the hub of Britain's imperial interests in the Middle East. However, Britain's inability to maintain a large garrison in the region was clear to the indigenous peoples. In the Arab world itself, the old conservative elites had no solutions for the economic and social distress of the masses, which had been aggravated by the privations of war. These elites were now threatened by a new, Westernised middle stratum, the effendiyya, and tried the risky tactic of diverting the masses' frustration towards the British. This often backfired and even brought down the ancien regime in Egypt. The first Arab-Israeli War in 1948 was also a traumatic event for the region, with the Arab ruling elites' standing further damaged by their unexpected humiliation at the hands of the Israelis.

During the early years of the Second World War, Britain devoted immense resources to building military bases in Egypt and Palestine. The political stability of the two countries was of prime concern to avoid diverting troops away from fighting the external enemy to internal security tasks. The paradox of Britain's eventual victory was that it could not perpetuate its political authority. Demands for independence intensified in Egypt and among Palestinian Jewry, and led to postwar struggles.