Steps toward a Middle East free of nuclear weapons

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Arms Control Today; (United States)

OSTI ID:6907433

Leonard, J

In the aftermath of the Gulf War, all eyes are focused on the dangers of proliferation in the Middle East. President Bush, in his postwar address to Congress, called for immediate action to control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the missiles used to deliver them, warning that it would be tragic if the nations of the Middle East and Persian Gulf were now, in the wake of war, to embark on a new arms race. Secretary of State James Baker has recently returned from a tour of the region, and consultations on proliferation were reportedly high on his agenda. At the same time, the fierce political antagonisms and unbridled military competitions that have long characterized the Middle East leave many skeptical as to what can realistically be done. While all states in the region - including Israel - have publicly supported the idea of establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ) in the Middle East, doubt over the feasibility of the proposal runs high. Why on earth, it is asked, would Israelis give up the protection of their nuclear monopoly What assurances from their Arab adversaries or from the US could possibly replace this ultimate deterrent

• OSTI ID: 6907433
• Journal Information: Arms Control Today; (United States), Journal Name: Arms Control Today; (United States) Vol. 21:3; ISSN 0196-125X; ISSN ACOTEB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
350200* -- Arms Control-- Proliferation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
ISRAEL
MIDDLE EAST
MISSILES
NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PROLIFERATION
TREATIES
WEAPONS