End of Israeli ‘Nuclear Ambiguity’ Good For Peace
An Israeli-conceived, U.S.-enforced farce masquerading as "grand strategy" is finally dead. For years the Israeli government refused to confirm or deny its nuclear weapons program. The February release of the Israeli section of the Defense Department-commissioned report "Critical Technology Assessment in Israel and Nation Nations" (PDF) killed off the policy while setting off an Internet conflagration last week (the most vicious unfolding over Twitter). At one side of the political spectrum, the document’s release was evidence of "a shocking breach" by the Obama administration and betrayal of Israel by some media outlets for even reporting it. At the other it revealed a "highly successful partnership of American and military science" despite zero evidence the U.S. intended such "Atoms for Peace" gifts as Israel’s Soreq nuclear reactor to be used for anything but peaceful purposes.
The five tragedies of "ambiguity" and benefits to be gained by its demise are only slowly emerging from the rubble.
- Ambiguity was premised on presidential fear of the Israel lobby.
- American presidents lied about Israel.
- Nonproliferation undermined.
- Skewed information, skewed debate.
- US taxpayers defrauded.
