(Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies-Tel Aviv University) Zaki Shalom - The argument that integration in NATO will increase Israel's deterrent capability is true to only a limited extent, if at all: The order of battle currently possessed by Israel awards it considerable strength, permitting it to create a reliable dimension of deterrence against potential military threats. Israel possesses strong bilateral relations with the U.S., which in practice award it the status of an informal ally. Since Israel's establishment, all U.S. administrations have declared their deep commitment toward Israel and to preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel possesses a nuclear option, i.e., it enjoys a situation in which the countries of the region and, in fact, the entire international community regard it as a country having a nuclear capability without it itself ever having stated whether or not it possesses such a capability. Practical cooperation with NATO countries has already expanded and will continue to expand Israel's deterrent capability. Thus it seems that joining NATO will contribute to Israel's deterrent capability only marginally, if at all.
2005-04-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive