Introduction
Israel is considered one of the nuclear states after several years of accusations that the country is developing and testing nuclear weapons. However, Israel has yet to confirm or deny their existence, which raises more concern from countries like the United States, who are dedicated to reducing the development of nuclear weapons worldwide (Kristensen and Korda, 2022). Israel’s position on the existence of nuclear weapons within its borders presents a challenge for treaties like the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The Middle East’s taboo against nuclear weapons, the unpredictability of Israel’s politics and policies, and the threat it poses to other countries are at the core of the issue arising from Israel’s ownership of nuclear weapons. Israel has yet to join the NPT to ensure greater regulation of its nuclear weapons, raising more concern. As the NPT works to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons, Israel should be allowed to have its nuclear bomb and encouraged to join the NPT to support the stabilization of the Middle East as Iran continues to challenge the existence of a nuclear weapons-free zone in the region.
Israel’s Bomb and the Nuclear Taboo in the Middle East
The topic of nuclear weapons is hotly debated in continuous discussions over their development, testing, and use with Israel creating uncertainties. The threat of using nuclear weapons has constantly emerged from various countries engaged in developing such weapons. Such threats have come from nations that have confirmed the existence of nuclear weapons in their possession. Israel has remained quiet over the presence of nuclear ammunition in the country and has yet to make any threats to use such artillery. However, Israel’s ownership of nuclear bombs should be allowed by other nations due to the unique situation in the region. Israel is in a region that maintains a taboo against nuclear weapons. Nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are yet to make any significant steps towards developing nuclear weapons, which has allowed Iran dominance over the past years. The region is also experiencing an aggressive regional policy from Iran, leading to the need for insurance so that the country will not threaten its neighbors. Israel remains the only country that can keep Iran in check through its nuclear weapons in case of aggression.
Israel’s nuclear weapons are justified, given the political instability that Iran presents to the region. Iran continues to raise a lot of concern from countries in the region and the world over its aggressive politics in the region and the instability it causes. The country is blamed for sponsoring attacks and civil wars in neighboring countries like Syria, Israel, and Yemen. It has developed an aggressive approach to international politics through frequent disapproval of international efforts to ensure regional stability (Fawcett and Payne, 2022). Iran’s efforts to strengthen its military has been considered a real threat to Israel and neighboring countries, experiencing frequent interferences from Iran. With proven nuclear weaponry, Iran maintains a hold over the region and requires a country in the region that can counter its threat, which Israel conveniently provides.
Iran’s violation of the nuclear deal it made with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) indicates the need for Israel to have and maintain nuclear weapons due to Iran’s uncertainty. The Iran nuclear deal was an agreement that the country signed with six other nations on a plan to reduce its nuclear threat. Iran entered into an agreement that would see Iran’s government dispose of its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, reduce its gas centrifuges by two-thirds, and reduce its low-enriched stockpile by 98% for 13 years. The agreement also required Iran to enrich its uranium to a maximum of 3.67% for the next 15 years. The agreement aimed to reduce Iran’s nuclear threat to the region and the world and ensure stability in a region that significantly impacts the world’s economy. Since the signing of the agreement, Iran has broken various elements of the deal and presented no efforts to uphold the agreement. America’s efforts to impose sanctions on Iran and its companies have had little impact on the government’s intentions to reduce its nuclear threat.
Israel is in a region that faces a significant threat from Iran and should have its nuclear to ensure that the region remains safe from threats. The Middle East is the world’s largest oil exporter, making stability important due to the impacts that instability will have on the region. The world is heavily dependent on oil, and disruptions to the production and export of oil will significantly impact the world. The current Russia-Ukraine war has shown the impacts of disruptions in the energy sector on the rest of the world. The threat presented by Iran is significant and real to the rest of the region and the world. The lack of adherence to treaties and global agreements has made Iran a significant threat (Fawcett and Payne, 2022). It justifies Israel’s nuclear weapons. Also, Israel should have the defensive capacity to protect itself from any nation that presents a nuclear threat, given the increased number of countries with nuclear weapons. Therefore, Israel should not give up its nuclear weapons due to safety regions in the region.
Israel Joining NPT
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons aims to ensure that there is regulated development of nuclear weapons and reduced threat of nuclear and Israel should be part of the agreement. The world has experienced a significant increase in nuclear weapons since the mid-20th century. Nuclear weapons are the most destructive weapons in the world, as witnessed in World War II. The weapons are considered effective in deterring attacks against countries but also present a significant threat to people and the environment during development and their use. The NPT aims to reduce the threat presented by nuclear weapons through its efforts to regulate (United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs, 2022). Israel should be made subject to the regulations to ensure safety.
The goals of the NPT should motivate Israel to join the NPT as long as nuclear weapons are within its possession. The NPT aims to prevent the development of nuclear weapons and technology, enhance cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and work towards achieving the nuclear disarmament goal (Jonas and Taxman, 2018). One hundred ninety countries are members of the NPT, including the most powerful countries with established and tested nuclear programs. The member parties are committed to ensuring that the world does not face a threat from any country that possesses unregulated nuclear weapons. Israel is part of the four countries with nuclear weapons that have not joined the NPT. Israel should be pressured to ensure that it does not present any nuclear threat to the world.
Pressuring Israel to join NPT is a responsibility the United States should take up because it contributes towards its policy to enhance global security. America is dedicated to helping other nations achieve security, especially those with its interests. The country has interests in the Middle East that give it the responsibility to ensure that the nuclear weapons in Israel are regulated under the NPT. The stability of the Middle East countries has to be ensured by the United States, given that it will be one of the most affected in case of any instability. Lessons should be drawn from the ongoing war in Ukraine over the need to ensure that the region is stable. Israel’s membership in the NPT is vital for America and the countries in the region, hence the need to pressure it to join the treaty.
Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in the Middle East
The United States can work towards making the Middle East free of nuclear weapons, but it is an uphill task. The Middle East is a special zone for America because of the relationships it has developed in the region. Its relations with UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries in the region are important in ensuring stability that allows trade between them. The country also has interests in Israel because of its strategic role in addressing the issues in Iran. America’s membership in the NPT and its dedication towards a nuclear weapons-free world are affected by Iran’s efforts to expand its nuclear artillery. Iran presents a threat to the region through its nuclear program, which has led to retaliation by America. The U.S.’s dependence on Israel has meant it slows down its efforts to make the Middle East nuclear weapons-free. Working towards making the region free of nuclear weapons is a difficult task, but it is achievable through effective strategies.
America could work towards making the Middle East nuclear weapons free, but it will have to take stringent measures and bold efforts to achieve it. Eliminating nuclear weapons from a country is a difficult task because of the various factors that must be considered. America has not managed to disarm Iran due to its limitations in such an effort. Any direct actions to disarm the country will be deemed an act of war and may lead to retaliation. Indirect efforts like sanctions have also proven to be ineffective, as Iran has managed to defy such measures. A similar problem exists in any efforts to disarm Israel, which is considered more formidable in its military. Working to disarm the region of nuclear weapons should also consider the threats in the area in case they lack defensive mechanisms. However, the U.S. can achieve the goal through NPT and other agreements and talks that ensure the stability and safety of the region.
Conclusion
Israel is one of the two countries in the Middle East with nuclear weapons that have not joined the NPT. While Israel has not denied or confirmed ownership of atomic weapons, the country has shown signs of its presence which led to the need for them to join the NPT. The Middle East is an important region because of oil exports. The area has managed to maintain a nuclear taboo, with Israel and Iran being the only countries with nuclear weapons. Allowing Israel to keep its nuclear weapons is essential in countering Iran’s threats. However, Israel should be pressured into joining the NPT as efforts to reduce nuclear weapons worldwide continue. Joining the NPT will benefit Israel and other countries in the region. It will also contribute towards making the Middle-East free of nuclear weapons.
Reference List
Fawcett, L., and Payne, A. (2022) ‘Stuck on a hostile path? US policy towards Iran since the revolution,’ Contemporary Politics, pp. 1–21. Web.
Jonas, D. S., and Taxman, D. M. (2018) ‘JCP-No-Way: A Critique of the Iran Nuclear Deal as a Non-Legally-Binding Political Commitment,’ Journal of National Security Law & Policy, 9(589), pp. 589–630.
Kristensen, H. M., and Korda, M. (2022) ‘Israeli nuclear weapons, 2021,’ Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 78(1), pp. 38–50. Web.
United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (2022). Treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT) – UNODA. United Nations. Web.