The notebooks of Cabinet Secretary Sir Norman Brook, covering the years 1954-1955, document discussions on what became known as the Baghdad Pact, a short-lived British-backed alliance comprising Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan aimed at keeping the Soviet Union out of the Middle East. The pact collapsed three years later when a coup overthrew Iraq's British-installed monarchy - heralding the end of British influence in the Middle East.
During those discussions, Churchill dropped an apparent bombshell: His friend, British politician James de Rothschild, told him Israel was considering joining the British Commonwealth.
"James de Rothschild has told me [that] Israel is likely to abandon dreams of independence [and] adhere instead to [the] British Commonwealth," Churchill said. "[Their] ambassador in [London] has confirmed this.
"[It would] be [a] remarkable initiative from them: it [should] not be disregarded, when the time comes," he said.
The idea, however, never materialized.
Often the issues mirror contemporary concerns - while showing how much has changed.
Environmental concerns are raised repeatedly. The Cabinet proposes to create "smokeless zones" by banning the use of coal in towns and cities. Churchill casts aside some ministers' concerns that the government would appear to be copying a bill on the same issue proposed by a junior lawmaker - foreshadowing how future prime ministers would seize the popular policies of others.
Fears of new media corrupting the young were also raised. The Cabinet discussed whether horror comic books were too violent and whether to allow television to be broadcast on Sunday afternoons - despite fears that Sunday-school attendance could plummet. They agreed to the broadcasts, but on the condition that only programs "unpopular with children" be aired.
There was a secret agreement between Churchill and Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, who wanted to succeed Churchill, that the prime minister would step down in April 1955. The agreement surfaced the month before.
Churchill, who had suffered a stroke in 1953, wanted to crown his career by representing Britain at a "Four-Powers" summit with the leaders of the United States, France and the Soviet Union.
Eden became upset when Churchill suggested delaying the summit until June to accommodate President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Asked by Eden if Churchill was considering changing his plans, the prime minister responded, "I [should] have to consider my public duty."
Churchill's private secretary John Colville wrote in his diary that the next few days were painful. Churchill "began to form a cold hatred of Eden," Colville wrote, according to Churchill biographer Sir Martin Gilbert.
However, three weeks later, on April 5, 1955, Churchill kept his word - and resigned without waiting for the summit.
