因此当埃及前总统贾迈勒·阿卜杜勒·纳赛尔在1950年代开始呼吁阿拉伯国家联合时，美欧都将其视为威胁。 美国害怕自己从此失去对中东的影响力，于是暗中破坏纳赛尔实现阿拉伯国家紧密合作和鼓动民族主义的努力。
Thus, when Gamal Abdel Nasser launched a call for Arab unity in the 1950’s, the US and Europe viewed him as a threat.  The US undercut his call for strong Arab cooperation and nationalism, fearing a loss of American influence in the Middle East.