Britain uses ships and logistics as diplomatic leverage

Britain kept the Mediterranean Fleet outside the squadron's direct structure and avoided placing its most senior officers in multinational command. This preserved an independent force able to watch both the crisis and the international coalition. Britain increased its attached ships when it supported a bombardment or other action, then reduced the contribution when policy diverged. Because much of the coalition's logistics also depended on British support, those force adjustments gave the Royal Navy practical diplomatic leverage without openly breaking the multinational arrangement.