The global confrontation between the Axis and Allied powers during World War II accelerated decolonization in the Middle East. Axis propaganda supporting certain nation-state aspirations pushed the British to support nationalist Lebanese and Syrian leaders’ claims to independence from the French. After declaring independence, the leaders of the new Lebanese and Syrian governments sought to further secure their national interests by asking the Soviet Union and United States for help, establishing diplomatic relations with both countries in 1944. This calculated move proved effective. Josef Stalin, at the Potsdam Conference in July 1945, opposed the continuously privileged status France enjoyed in the region and, in 1946, Soviet representatives advocated in the UN Security Council for the removal of French and British troops. US representatives also supported Syrians’ right to determine their government, but in more moderate and cautious ways.

二战期间轴心国与同盟国之间的全球对抗加速了中东的非殖民化进程。支持某些民族国家愿望的轴心国宣传促使英国支持民族主义黎巴嫩和叙利亚领导人脱离法国独立的主张。宣布独立后，黎巴嫩和叙利亚新政府领导人寻求苏联和美国的帮助，以进一步确保国家利益，并于1944年与两国建立外交关系。这一精心策划的举动被证明是有效的。约瑟夫·斯大林在 1945 年 7 月的波茨坦会议上反对法国在该地区持续享有的特权地位，并于 1946 年在联合国安理会主张撤走法国和英国军队。美国代表也支持叙利亚人决定政府的权利，但方式更加温和和谨慎。