![In 1956, a global war nearly broke out around the Suez Canal.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/suez-titel-300x225.jpg)
Switzerland in the Suez Crisis
In 1956 the world was on the brink of a new world war. And right in the thick of it, Switzerland acted as a mediator. But it was a tough job.
![Gamal Abdel Nasser (left) in a 1955 photo.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/nasser-300x196.jpg)
![The Suez Canal, photographed around 1880.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/suez-kanal-300x201.jpg)
![Max Petitpierre after his election to the Federal Council, 1944.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/petitpierre-1-300x300.jpg)
TV documentary about the Suez crisis. YouTube / History
![Calm before the storm: Max König's team relaxes on the boat trip to Cairo.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/konig-mit-gruppe-300x146.jpg)
![UN peace-keeping troops in the Sinai region, 1956.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/friedenstruppen-300x180.jpg)
![Portrait of diplomat Max König.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/max-koenig-205x300.jpg)
In 1956 the world was on the brink of a new world war. And right in the thick of it, Switzerland acted as a mediator. But it was a tough job.