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Israel’s nuclear posture and its position on arms control and disarmament

Nuclear Disarmament: Regional Perspectives on Progress

ISBN: 978-1-78190-722-1, eISBN: 978-1-78190-723-8

Publication date: 29 October 2013

Abstract

The chapter describes the development of and rationale for the undeclared Israeli nuclear posture. It analyzes the relevance and irrelevance of the nuclear component in Israel’s overall deterrence posture and considers its contribution to Israel’s security. While Israel is assumed to be a nuclear power, its ambiguous nuclear posture makes her a special case. Moreover, the ambiguous posture is important diplomatically and also as an arms control measure. Israel’s position on nuclear arms control is presented and analyzed in this chapter. Israel supports the idea of a MEWMDFZ but insists that this could come about only after peace agreements are signed with all the regional states and a period of time elapses to assess the validity of these agreements. Beyond that, Israel is party to several other arms control agreements, which are described in this chapter.

The author then proceeds to raise several ideas about possible arms control measures that might enhance regional stability while not adversely affecting Israel’s security. These comprise the following: first, ratification of the CTBT which Israel signed but has not ratified. Second, Israeli acceptance of the FMCT if and when this treaty is internationally enacted. Several considerations are presented concerning the implications of this treaty, including – among others – the effect on Israel’s ambiguous nuclear posture. Third, adoption of a doctrine of “no first use.” The pro and con arguments on the advisability of such a step are assessed. These include – among others – the possible effects on different types of deterrence against Iran, if the latter becomes nuclear, as well as the overall stability of regional nuclear balances. The issue of Israeli deterrence against the use of other types of WMD is also assessed. Fourth, the article calls for the creation of a new forum for regional security in which regional states would participate, similar but not necessarily identical to ACRS.

Citation

Evron, Y. (2013), "Israel’s nuclear posture and its position on arms control and disarmament", Nuclear Disarmament: Regional Perspectives on Progress (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 21), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 159-167. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1572-8323(2013)0000021017

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013 Emerald Group Publishing Limited