On 24 March 1965, Michael Stewart, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, issues a note on the Middle East for the next Cabinet meeting in which he analyses the United Kingdom’s interests in the region, namely the pursuit of peace and stability, the countering of Soviet penetration, the preservation of an East/West balance, the protection of UK material interests, the question of transit (Suez Canal) and the overflying and staging of military aircraft. Despite diplomatic efforts, there is no sign of any progress towards a peaceful settlement of the Arab–Israel dispute. The memorandum concludes with a proposed list of policies that the UK should pursue in handling some of the complex Middle East problems with which it is confronted.