The major internal factor for the United States was the presidential election. This was the driving force for the development of the strategy with Egypt because President Eisenhower did not want the U.S. to enter a conflict that would affect his chances of re-election. So he tried to minimize his risk by utilizing diplomacy as an end state. So this shaped his strategy in terms of a more peaceful solution. The ways and means that shaped the end goal of a peaceful resolution contained little risk and the outcome was positive for his re-election, because he won.
On the other hand, the external factors that shaped the end state of a peaceful resolution with Egypt were broader. The risks became increasing more complex because the U.S. had to consider other external factors, such as other actors or players that entered the arena. One factor was, the U.S. maintaining relationships with its foreign allies, the UK and France. The riskier endeavor was to alienate the relationship with the Arab nations and with Egypt. The US and its allies needed access to the canal for the oil pipelines. The riskiest endeavor was to make sure that the Soviet Union would not gain any power momentum during the British, French and Israeli invasion of Egypt. The U.S. had to decide which relationship was the more important when analyzing the risks of war.
The U.S. strategized whether it could achieve the end state of peaceful negotiation by entering the conflict or avoiding it. Because it was an independent nation it wanted to free itself from any association with colonization and communism. So the example that the U.S. wanted to set for Egypt was to support its independent decision to nationalize the canal, but it did wish to negotiate a solution that was acceptable to all parties. Although the end state was valid, the “ways” and “means” passed the FAS test (feasible, attainable, and sustainable), there was more external risk. Which actor would US have to offend to achieve its end state? The U.S. diplomatic solution over the military alternative was necessary. The military outcome, even if the U.S. won, would have 2nd and 3rd order negative effects on its relationship with its Allies. America would be ostracized by the Middle East. The Soviet Union would step in because a power vacuum would be created. Moreover, the U.S. would lose status with the United Nations and its other allies, except for the British and the French. In addition, national security would be threatened and American access to the Suez Canal would be restricted or completely denied. Going into a conflict would be the greater evil, as it would favor colonization of Egypt and encourage the spread of communism in the Middle East. However, the U.S. probably knew that its relationships with the UK was more easily repairable than its relationship with the Middle East or the Soviet Union.