Nasser's successor was his vice president, Anwar Sadat , whom the ASU hierarchy confirmed as president in October 1970. His role was to reform an Egypt demoralized by defeat in the 1967 war, economic stagnation and austerity. His first significant act was to announce a "corrective revolution" , reversing the policy of centralized economic control, and expelling over a thousand Soviet advisors.

Again, however, social and economic affairs were overshadowed by military developments. In concert with Syria and Jordan, Egypt launched a new campaign against Israel. On October 6, 1973, Egyptian forces crossed the Suez Canal, storming the "invincible" Bar-Lev Line to enter Israeli-occupied Sinai. This October War (aka 10th Ramadan/Yom Kippur War) ultimately turned against the Arabs, but enhanced their bargaining position and dealt a blow to Israeli self-confidence. In addition, Egypt regained a strip of territory to the east of the Suez Canal.