A New India
Chapter 205 - 205: Secret Alliance

The scene was a quiet villa in Sevres, France, outside Paris.

The French had chosen this discreet location for a reason: what was about to happen here had to stay out of public view.

In the wake of the failed London Conference, it was clear that diplomacy had hit a dead end.

Egypt's control over the Suez Canal remained unshaken, and it was equally clear that any solution in London would not strip Egypt's power over this crucial waterway.

The British, French, and Israeli representatives who gathered here understood that the only way to regain control was to take drastic measures.

The code name was Operation Musketeer.

The French Premier, Guy Mollet, was the first to speak as they gathered around a small table.

He was a short man, with a face that held the weight of France's colonial troubles, particularly the war in Algeria. "Gentlemen, we're all here because our interests align. The London talks proved one thing, diplomacy will not give us the results we need. Nasser is a threat, not only to our interests in the canal but to stability in the entire region."

British Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd nodded, a serious expression on his face. "Mollet is right. Nasser has managed to rally not just Egypt but the Arab world. And let's be clear, he's also gaining favor in places like India and other third world countries. The longer he holds the canal, the more his influence grows."

Across the table, David Ben-Gurion, Israel's Prime Minister, leaned in. "We in Israel know all too well what that influence means. Nasser has made no secret of his plans to strengthen the Arab world against us. His ideology speaks of uniting Arabs, and he sees Israel as the enemy that must be overcome for Arab glory to flourish."

Lloyd raised a finger, pointing at Ben-Gurion. "This is why we're here, Mr. Ben-Gurion. Israel has a stake in this, but it's more than that. Britain and France's influence in the Middle East is fading fast. If Nasser remains unchecked, we'll be watching the entire region slide out of control."

The French Defense Minister, Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury, joined in, his voice low but firm. "We need a plan that hits hard, decisively. Nasser won't bow to pressure, not anymore. He's emboldened by his success, by the world's failure to reign him in at London."

Ben-Gurion nodded, looking each of them in the eye. "Then let's be honest here. We're not talking about just 'pressure.' We're talking about military action. We're talking about toppling Nasser, about taking the canal back by force."

Mollet's eyes gleamed with a hint of determination. "Exactly. This is about more than the canal. If we show that Nasser's actions have real consequences, we're sending a message to the entire Arab world. We're showing that their so-called hero is not untouchable."

Lloyd cleared his throat. "But we must be careful. This isn't a decision we can rush into. The public back home in Britain won't support a unilateral invasion of Egypt. We need a pretext, a reason that sounds justifiable."

Bourgès-Maunoury nodded. "A staged provocation, perhaps. Something that doesn't look like imperialistic meddling. We need a reason that the world, particularly the United States, can't easily condemn."

Ben-Gurion leaned forward, his voice calm but with an edge. "Israel can provide that pretext. Nasser has been amassing arms, training his military, and speaking openly about his disdain for Israel. We could launch an attack, a move into the Sinai Peninsula. This would give Britain and France a reason to intervene, ostensibly to protect international interests in the canal."

The French Defense Minister's eyes lit up. "That could work. Israel's move into the Sinai would create the appearance of a conflict, a regional crisis. Britain and France would then have grounds to step in as peacekeepers to 'secure' the canal and separate the warring parties."

Lloyd looked thoughtful, tapping his fingers on the table. "We'll need precise coordination. If we're to convince the world that this is an intervention for stability, it needs to be timed perfectly. Israel moves first, and we'll issue ultimatums for a ceasefire, framing it as a peacekeeping mission."

Ben-Gurion nodded. "Israel has been preparing for this. We can mobilize our forces swiftly. But we need assurances. If we go in, we must know that Britain and France will follow through."

Mollet's expression was serious. "You have our word, Mr. Ben-Gurion. The French are fully committed. We have too much at stake in Algeria to let Nasser's influence grow any stronger. The moment you make your move, we'll issue the necessary statements, the calls for peace that will justify our intervention."

Lloyd leaned back in his chair. "The key will be to present this as a carefully controlled operation. A rapid move into Egypt to seize control of the canal, followed by a withdrawal once we've secured it. We'll portray Nasser as the aggressor and ourselves as reluctant peacekeepers."

Ben-Gurion's face was tense, his mind clearly already in military mode. "We'll launch airstrikes to neutralize Egypt's air capabilities early on. Our ground forces can advance through the Sinai quickly. But Nasser's forces will likely fight back. This can't look like a massacre."

The French Defense Minister nodded. "Of course. The message isn't to destroy, but to control. We want to avoid any appearance of brutality. This must be surgical, strategic."

Mollet looked around the table, his tone resolute. "So, we're agreed. We coordinate an Israeli strike on the Sinai. Then Britain and France issue an ultimatum, demanding a ceasefire. When Egypt inevitably rejects it, we move in under the pretense of peacekeeping. Once we control the canal, Nasser's leverage will be gone."

Lloyd looked around the room, his voice carrying a note of caution. "And the Americans? Eisenhower won't sit idly by if this becomes public. He's been very clear about avoiding another colonial crisis."

Ben-Gurion smiled thinly. "America's focus is on the Soviets. If we act fast enough, the U.S. may not have time to react. By the time Eisenhower protests, the canal will already be in our hands."

Mollet exchanged a glance with Lloyd. "The Americans may complain, but their options will be limited. They'll have to accept the reality on the ground."

Lloyd seemed to weigh this, then nodded slowly. "All right. But we must be precise. This operation must move seamlessly. If the plan falters, we risk not only public backlash but an international incident that could play right into Nasser's hands."

Mollet tapped the table. "Then we settle the details. Israel moves into the Sinai. France and Britain issue calls for a ceasefire. When Egypt rejects, we move to secure the canal. The entire operation needs to be contained, quick, and above all, successful."

Large detailed map of Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula were spread across the table. Generals and advisors surrounded it, leaning in, eyes scanning the terrain, fingers tracing planned routes and airstrike points.

David Ben-Gurion gestured to the map, his voice low and focused.

"Israel's forces will advance from the Negev into the Sinai Peninsula, here and here," he said, pointing to Kusseima and Thamad. "We'll move fast, hitting Egyptian positions before they can organize a counterattack. Our air force will target Egyptian airbases at Cairo West and Almanza to keep their fighters grounded."

Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury studied the routes, nodding. "Once your forces advance into the Sinai, Britain and France will issue our demands for a ceasefire. The moment Nasser rejects it, we launch air operations. We'll strike from Cyprus and Malta, neutralizing Egyptian defenses along the canal."

Lloyd tapped the northern edge of the canal on the map. "Port Said will be critical. We'll send in paratroopers from the 3rd Battalion to secure it. Once it's under control, the Royal Navy will move up the canal from the Mediterranean, while French forces approach from the south."

Ben-Gurion looked at Mollet. "We'll need precise coordination. If we're delayed, Nasser could bring in reinforcements from Cairo. We can't afford that."

Mollet's tone was steady but intense. "The French 10th Parachute Division will be ready to deploy within hours of the Israeli advance. We'll establish control over Ismailia and Suez City to split Nasser's forces. Once the canal is secure, we'll demand a ceasefire with conditions Egypt cannot ignore."

Bourgès-Maunoury added, "Our forces will target anti-aircraft batteries and radar stations near the canal. Egyptian artillery positions must be neutralized before our ground troops land. Timing is everything here; our strikes have to clear the way for the ground forces."

Ben-Gurion nodded, his eyes fixed on the map. "Our operation will be swift. Within days, Nasser's forces will be overwhelmed. But we must maintain the appearance of separating warring parties, not invading Egypt."

Lloyd looked around the room, eyes locking on each man. "This has to be seamless. We're not just planning a military operation, we're crafting an image, a justification. If we fail, we'll hand Nasser the very victory we aim to deny him."

Each man knew the stakes; the plan was locked.

They shook hands, each fully aware that what they'd set in motion could reshape the Middle East and ignite a global crisis.

The hours stretched as they mapped out every aspect of the operation, leaving nothing to chance.

Airstrikes, troop movements, diplomatic statements each piece was meticulously planned.

By the end of the evening, a pact had been made, one they all understood must never come to light.

As the final plans were set, Mollet stood, raising a glass of wine. "To Operation Musketeer. Let this be the moment we reclaim stability in the Middle East."

Ben-Gurion and Lloyd clinked their glasses.