Date of Graduation

Spring 2008

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

Bradley Thayer

Abstract

Israel's strategic doctrine is based on maintaining a monopoly of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. Iran is currently threatening Israel's nuclear monopoly by developing nuclear weapons. Therefore, Iranian nuclear weapons development demands an Israeli response. Israel can rely on preventive options, such as diplomatic endeavors or military strikes aimed at neutralizing Iran’s motivations and capabilities to produce nuclear weapons. However, both preventive options are unlikely to produce lasting change. Therefore, Israel will soon be forced to reevaluate its strategic doctrine to confront a nuclear-armed Iran. This should involve the creation of a renewed deterrent posture that will end nuclear ambiguity, establish a formal nuclear doctrine, and ensure the continuity of conventional superiority to ensure credibility.

Keywords

Israel, Iran, air strike, deterrence, nuclear

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© Douglas Allen Chaney

Download

Campus Only

Share

COinS