United States Support to the Multinational Force and Observers

The U.S. is struggling with its role as the world's only superpower. If the U.S. is to accept new commitments, it must reassess old ones. The Sinai Desert has been peaceful for twenty-five years. The U.S. commitment of forces to the Multinational Force and Observers (eleven-nation Sinai peacekeeping force) may preclude commitment of combat-ready forces to an area where there is a greater need for U.S. presence. This study examines the MFO from U.S., Israeli, and Egyptian perspectives and concludes that: (1) Israel's improved security posture should encourage acceptance of a change; (2) Egypt combines a desire for a smaller peacekeeping force with a recent history and propensity for peace; and (3) that there is a need for the U.S. to change its commitment. Analysis shows the current MFO is ill suited to conduct explicit and implicit missions. The study concludes that the U.S. should immediately begin talks with Israel, Egypt, and the United Nations with the objective of modernizing the MFO. Modernization should include: (1) making the MFO a UN peacekeeping organization to strengthen its legitimacy; (2) withdrawing the U.S. Infantry Battalion; (3) retracting the MFO occupied portion of southern Zone C; and (4) increasing the size and function of the Civilian Observer Unit.