The Suez Crisis at 70: Its Renewed Relevance in 2026

The Suez Crisis continues to shape British thinking on the use of force in the Middle East. Danny Steed examines its enduring military and political lessons, including for expeditionary operations, media influence, allied support, market pressures and political objectives. By comparing Suez with the current Iran crisis, the article argues that Britain is experiencing a renewed ‘Suez Syndrome’, while the US is facing a similar set of challenges to those that Britain confronted 70 years ago.