Israel's attack on Osiraq
Subtitle: a model for future preventive strikes?
By: Peter S. Ford.
Contributors: USAF Institute for National Security Studies.
Series: INSS occasional paper :; 59
Publisher: USAF Institute for National Security Studies, USAF Academy
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Colorado Springs, CO
Language: eng
Number of pages: 66
Subjects: Arab-Israeli conflict -- 1973-1993 -- Iraq.; Osirak Nuclear Reactor Bombing, Iraq, 1981.; Nuclear nonproliferation.; Nuclear arms control -- Middle East.; Israel -- Military relations -- Iraq.; Iraq -- Military relations -- Israel.
Description: Twenty-four years ago, Israeli fighter pilots destroyed the Osiraq nuclear reactor and made a profound statement about global nuclear proliferation. In light of the recent preventive regime change in Iraq, a review of this strike reveals timely lessons for future counterproliferation actions. Using old, new, and primary source evidence, this paper examines Osiraq for lessons from a preventive attack on a non-conventional target. Before attacking Osiraq, Israeli policymakers attempted diplomatic coercion to delay Iraq's nuclear development. Concurrent with diplomatic actions, Israeli planners developed a state-of-the-art military plan to destroy Osiraq. Finally, Israeli leaders weathered the international storm after the strike. The paper examines Israeli decisionmaking for each of these phases. The paper draws two conclusions. First, preventive strikes are valuable primarily for two purposes: buying time and gaining international attention. Second, the strike provided a one-time benefit for Israel. Subsequent strikes will be less effective due to dispersed/hardened nuclear targets and limited intelligence.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-66).
INSS working paper version of 2004 Naval Postgraduate School thesis.
"July 2005."
Available electronically on the INSS website.