United Arab Republic

The United Arab Republic (Arabic: ???????? ??????? ??????? - al jumhuriya al-'arabia al-muttahida)

Structure of the Republic

The union bound the two nations together into a united state with its capital in Cairo and, following his February 1958 nomination to the position, under the presidency of Nasser. The Republic was a unitary state, and the preeminence of Nasser together with Egypt's demographic and political dominance meant that it was effectively under Egyptian control. Egyptian military and technical advisors poured into Syria, with the Syrian military, police and bureaucracy coming under Egyptian control, a situation that would lead to considerable resentment. The ban on political parties other than Nasser's Arab Socialist Union was extended to Syria, and the Ba'th Party and Arab Nationalist Movement in Syria both dissolved themselves into the ruling party. Obstreperous political elements were dealt with ruthlessly: after Khalid Bakdash's proposals of December 1958 for a looser federation, the Syrian Communist Party was brutally repressed, as were Islamist tendencies.

Related Topics:
Cairo - 1958 - Arab Socialist Union - Arab Nationalist Movement

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Ironically, the new nation found itself supported by the very force some of its proponents had feared. The Soviet Union, aiming to garner Cold War allies, quickly began selling weapons to the fledgling republic, a practice it would continue even after the UAR collapsed.

Related Topics:
Soviet Union - Cold War

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The UAR adopted a flag based on the flag of Egypt but with two stars to represent the two parts. This continues to be the flag of Syria. The flag of Iraq was similar but with three stars, representing the hope that the UAR would extend. The flag of Sudan is also based on horizontal red, white and black.

Related Topics:
Flag of Egypt - Flag of Syria - Flag of Iraq - Flag of Sudan

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