Question

this excerpt is about the u.s. policy in lebanon.
from 1981 onward, the reagan administration feared that conflict between lebanese factions backed by syria and israel, along with clashes between israel and the palestine liberation organization (plo), could escalate into an arab - israeli war. yet american policymakers differed over how to prevent such a conflict, especially over whether to commit troops for that purpose. following israels 1982 invasion of lebanon, the advocates of military intervention won out. but by 1984, terrorist attacks, a lack of diplomatic progress, and congressional opposition led president ronald reagan to withdraw u.s. forces from lebanon.

• \the reagan administration and lebanon, 1981 - 1984,\ u.s. department of state, history.state.gov (accessed april 17, 2020)

based on the excerpt, why were u.s. forces initially sent to lebanon?

Explanation:

The text states that the Reagan administration feared conflict escalation (between Lebanese factions, Israel - PLO) could lead to an Arab - Israeli war. American policymakers debated preventing such a conflict, and after Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon, military intervention advocates won. This implies the initial sending of troops was related to preventing conflict (i.e., maintaining peace between warring groups). The options "To regain control of vital oil fields" has no basis in the text. "To provide military support to Syria" is wrong as Syria was backing one of the Lebanese factions (a side in the conflict, not a U.S. ally here). "To provide military assistance to Israel" is not indicated; the text focuses on preventing a broader war, not aiding Israel specifically.

Answer:

To help maintain peace between warring groups