The United States inherited Britain's position as the leading Western power but misunderstood part of what that role entailed. Leadership did not mean that every ally would seek permission before acting. The senior power could exert decisive pressure once it objected, as Washington did by demanding that the Suez operation stop. The episode distinguishes primacy within an alliance from command over formally independent partners.
Notable Point · 1:49:46-1:50:34
Suez and the limits of alliance leadership
American primacy after 1945 did not automatically give Washington complete control over what its allies attempted.