Gamal Abdel Nasser

Nasser's presidency (1956-1970) established Egypt as a significant player in the Middle East and saw the rise of Nasserism. A variant of Arab Socialism tailored to Nasser, Nasserism advocated anti-colonialism, socialist policies, and the unity of Arab nations. Nasserism won popularity throughout the Arab world when Egypt nationalised the British-held Suez Canal in 1956. Nasserism further found manifestation when Egypt and Syria merged to found the United Arab Republic (1958-1961).