Bringing Israel's Bomb Out of the Basement

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66569/avner-cohen-and-marvin-miller/bringing-israels-bomb-out-of-the-basement

Israel is reconsidering its policy of maintaining nuclear ambiguity. In the past, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its possession of a nuclear arsenal or weapons program. In the wake of the Holocaust and after the creation of the Jewish state the Israelis pursued a nuclear option, in order to defend themselves from hostile nations, but the Israelis were extremely secretive about the nature and progress of their nuclear program. In 1969, the United States under president Nixon formally agreed to respect Israel's decision to cover up any weapons programs. Any decision to publicize, or continue hiding the nuclear arsenal directly affects American policy making in the region.

It is very likely Israel has had nuclear weapons for decades, but a public public announcement that confirms possession of these weapons could either deter aggression towards Israel, or more likely escalate Israel's arms rivalry with newly nuclear Iran, and other Middle Eastern powers.

--Ray Treonis