America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Test Prep

The choice highlighting the need to prevent escalation of conflict accurately reflects the U.S. motivations during the 1973 war, specifically the Yom Kippur War. As hostilities raged between Israel and its adversaries, particularly Egypt and Syria, there was a significant concern that prolonged fighting could destabilize the entire region. The Cold War context further complicated matters, as heightened tensions could provoke superpower involvement and lead to a wider conflict potentially dragging in other nations.

By advocating for a UN ceasefire, the United States aimed to halt the fighting before it intensified further. This strategic decision was also influenced by the desire to promote peace negotiations and stability in a volatile area. The U.S. recognized that an unchecked military conflict could result in extensive human suffering and risk the interests of both American allies and Western geopolitical objectives in the Middle East.

Other options do not capture the primary rationale behind the U.S. pressure during this crisis. For instance, aligning with Soviet interests would contradict America's longstanding support for Israel. Similarly, supporting military operations or maintaining Israeli territorial expansion would not necessarily be consistent with the U.S. goal of ensuring regional stability and preventing chaos.