The tide of the war finally turns on October 1; the Syrians are driven out of all territories conquered by them at the beginning of the war and on the following day Israeli forces advance into Syria proper, about twenty kilometers from the outskirts of Damascus.

The United States and the Soviet Union react with subtle attempts to fine-tune the outcome by alternately withholding or providing arms to the belligerents and by urging or discouraging a UN cease-fire.

The Soviet Union responds to Israeli victories in the Golan by making massive airlifts to Damascus and Cairo.

Nixon denies Israel an airlift of arms until October 13, preventing Israel from launching a prompt counterattack and thereby signaling Sadat of American sympathy.