Israels Nuclear Doctrine Raises Global Concern Over Regional Stability

Israel’s Nuclear Arsenal Threshold Set at Low Level

The Israeli government has established a threshold for the use of nuclear weapons that is considered low by international standards. According to estimates from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Israel possesses approximately 80 nuclear warheads and delivery systems, including aircraft and ballistic missiles.

This information has been largely kept out of public discussion due to Israel’s policy of “nuclear opacity,” which neither confirms nor denies the existence of its nuclear arsenal. This ambiguity has allowed the international community to avoid addressing a key question: under what circumstances would Israel use its nuclear weapons?

The United States and Israel are currently engaged in a military conflict with Iran, which has struck Israeli cities, including Dimona, a key nuclear facility. This event highlights the potential for retaliation from Iran if attacked.

Israeli strategic thinking is shaped by the fear of an existential threat, which differs from most nuclear states’ doctrines that focus on deterrence or competition with other nuclear powers. Israel’s security narrative emphasizes national survival in the face of regional conflicts.

The threshold for nuclear use in Israel’s doctrine is lower than in most countries due to its unique strategic thinking and lack of international regulation. Israel is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and its nuclear facilities are not subject to regular inspections. This creates a rare situation in global security where a nuclear-armed state’s capabilities and doctrine remain largely unscrutinized.

Recent events in Gaza have raised concerns about the potential for escalation in regional conflicts. The international community has focused on preventing nuclear proliferation in other parts of the Middle East, but Israel’s existing nuclear arsenal remains largely outside of debate.

Source: Al Jazeera