Late president of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev and Gamal Abdel-Nasser in Egypt, 1964

Foreign policy of Gamal Abdel Nasser Relationship with the Soviet UnionThe Suez Crisis also drove Egypt into a closer relationship with the Soviet Union. As a part of this new relationship, the Soviets agreed to provide approximately one-third of the cost of the Aswan High Dam and provided four hundred technicians to aid in the construction. Construction of the dam began on January 1, 1960 and was completed in 1970. Its reservoir was named Lake Nasser, honoring Nasser . As it was hoped, the dam was able to produce substantial electric power, 2.1 gigawatts, and is still standing today. During his official visit to Egypt on May 9-26, 1964, Nikita Khrushchev awarded Nasser the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin. VIDEO Like many other Arab nationalist leaders, Gamal Abdel Nasser was a strong proponent of Arab Socialism, and his economic policies were characterized by a centrally planned economy, state subsidies, and state ownership of businesses. By 1962, this had led to a minimum 51% government ownership of virtually all Egyptian business. However, despite his close relationship with the Soviet Union, Nasser was a fierce opponent of Communism within the Arab World itself. Nasser's campaign against Arab Communists periodically caused tensions with the Soviet Union, yet even after Egypt's defeat in the Six Day War of 1967, after which thousands of Soviet military advisors were stationed in Egypt at Nasser's request, he never relented on his stance, a policy actively continued by his successor Anwar Al-Sadat. VIDEO Arab leader With his rhetoric and the Suez success, Nasser developed a following throughout the Arab world, inspiring "Nasserist" political parties dedicated to Arab unity. Many saw Nasser as the leader of the Arab world, representing a new, defiant era in Arabic politics. Nasser's policies became associated with Pan-Arabism, which promoted aggressive action by Arab states to confront the "imperialist" West, and urged that the resources of the Arab states should be used for the benefit of the Arab people and not the West. In a 1967 speech, Nasser declared, "We can achieve much by Arab action, which is a main part of our battle. We must develop and build our countries to face the challenge of our enemies." In 1958, Syrian military and civilian leaders requested a merger of Syria and Egypt. Somewhat surprised by the sudden request and unsure as to whether the time was ripe, Nassernevertheless agreed and the United Arab Republic came into being. Many saw it as the first step towards the establishment of a pan-Arab state. Attempts were also made to include Yemen. However, the UAR was not a success; In Syria, Egyptian bureaucrats and officers were seen as acting dictatorially, and the rapidly expanded secret police harshly repressed opposition groups including the Muslim Brotherhood and the Syrian Communist Party. Meanwhile, the Syrian bourgeoisie did not gain the access to Egyptian markets that it had hoped for. Discontent among the Syrian bourgeoisie and officer corps led to secessionists taking control in Damascus, and the UAR was dissolved in 1961, although Egypt continued to use the name until 1971. Egyptian intervention in Yemen involved the UAR in a bloody civil war in that country. http://news.egypt.com/en/index.php