Britain's two hard choices in the Suez Crisis

What was the best course Britain could have taken during the Suez Crisis?

Either remain out entirely or complete the operation despite the risk of a lasting Western split; the compromised middle course was untenable.

Britain had no comfortable middle option. It could avoid intervention, leaving France and Israel without essential British logistics and carrier support, or continue despite American opposition. The United States had enough visibility into British preparations to know an operation was coming. A rapid success might have been accepted, but the failed timing exposed the alliance split.