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Why did the United States and Britain choose to invade French North Africa in Operation Torch?

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Map showing the British and Axis military campaigns in North Africa during World War II, with labeled troop movements, key battles, and shifting front lines from Egypt across Libya to Tunisia along the Mediterranean coast. The map includes arrows and dates marking advances and retreats by both sides, and highlights major turning points and defensive lines. — North Africa campaigns Military drives, defensive lines, and key battles during the North Africa campaigns of World War II, 1940–43.

The United States and Britain launched Operation Torch in November 1942 primarily to open a second front against Germany in response to pressure from Joseph Stalin, whose forces were suffering heavy losses on the Eastern Front.1

While American strategists initially favored a direct buildup in Britain for an assault on Europe, the British successfully advocated for an invasion of North Africa to secure the Mediterranean theater. The operation served several strategic objectives:1

Securing the Mediterranean: By capturing North African ports, the Allies aimed to open shipping lanes and establish a vital base for future operations, including the Allied invasion of Sicily and the subsequent campaign against Italy.2
Eliminating Axis Presence: The campaign was designed to end the German and Italian military presence in North Africa, building on the momentum of the Second Battle of El-Alamein.32
Strategic Positioning: The Allies sought to gain a foothold in the region to project power into Tunisia, which was strategically located just 100 miles from Sicily.21