NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION

NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION:

Israel

Israel is widely believed to have a sophisticated nuclear weapons capability, although for strategic reasons it has maintained a policy of "opacity" -- Israel will neither confirm nor deny that it possesses nuclear weapons, stating only that it maintains a "nuclear option."

As a rule, the United States is firm in its nonproliferation policy; Israel is the exception to that rule. Long ago, Israel worked out a "don't ask, don't tell" arrangement about its nuclear stockpile, and while its Arab neighbors -- as well as India and Pakistan -- have lately been clamoring about the Western double standard vis a vis Israel, most countries are content to look the other way.

Israel's nuclear policy is not without its champions, critics, and contradictions. The articles in this collection explore Israel's history as an "undeclared" nuclear power.

An embarrassment of spes. By P.R. Kumaraswamy. March/April 1999.
Report on Soviet spies in Israel.

And Then There Was One. By Avner Cohen. September/October 1998.
At the beginning of May, there were three "threshold states" - now there is only Israel. How much longer can - and should - Israel continue its policy of nuclear opacity?

Shimon Peres: Peacemaker, nuclear pioneer. By Avner Cohen. May/June 1996.
Shimon Peres has long believed that Israel's nuclear weapons could help bring peace. As he fights for political survival he sides with an idea called the "New Middle East."

Most Favored Nation. By Avner Cohen. January/February 1995.
The United States carries a big stick on proliferation, but talks softly regarding Israel.

Indefinite Extension of the NPT. By William Epstein. January 1995.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is up for extension. But the outcome may be tied to a comprehensive test ban treaty.

Stand and Be Counted. By William Epstein. November/December 1994.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) turns 25 in March, and its life expectancy after that is uncertain. On these nine pages, two views of the conditions for its extension, and a look at a closely related issue.

A Sacred Matter. By Avner Cohen. June 1993.
Israel's nuclear project was not for national glory or prestige. It was perceived as a sacred matter of national survival. A mix of good news and bad news in 1993 of the concern from Arab states and Israel over nuclear proliferation.

Myth Building. By Pervez Hoodbhoy. June 1993.
The "Islamic" bomb evokes fearsome images--nuclear annihilation in the hands of dictators, holy warriors, and terrorists.

Did Nukes Nudge the PLO? By Avner Cohen. December 1993.
The basic metaphor for the downfall of many otherwise natural political structures may be the fall of the Berlin Wall ,but is the same thing now happening also in Israel and the Middle East?

Justice for Vanunu. By Paolo Farinella & Venace Journe. January/February 1991.
The European scientific community searches for justice for Mordechai Vanunu, who has been imprisoned for acknowledging Israel's secret nuclear weapons program. Many groups have appealed for an end to his detention.

Main CCMEP Home Page

Hit Counter

FAIR USE NOTICE

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml . If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.