Should Israel alter its policy of nuclear ambiguity

Since its inception, Israel's nuclear program has evolved into a vital component of its national security strategy. At the core of Israel's nuclear program is its policy of nuclear ambiguity. Israel's nuclear ambiguity is comprised of secrecy and signaling, and through an effective combination of the two elements, Israel has maximized its deterrence advantages while minimizing the adverse political, military, and diplomatic ramifications of its nuclear program. As such, Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity has been successful for five decades.;However, given the current international environment, some experts argue that Israel should disclose its nuclear capabilities, deliberately ending its nuclear ambiguity policy. This thesis examines Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity and attempts to determine if it remains a valuable element in Israel's defense strategy. The purpose of this discussion is to answer the question: "Should Israel maintain its policy of nuclear ambiguity?";Chapter one discusses the development of Israel's nuclear program and the evolution of Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity. This chapter focuses largely on the piecemeal manner in which both Israel's nuclear program and nuclear policies were developed and addresses the US's influence in the process. Chapter two examines four critical elements in Israel's nuclear policy, for a deeper examination of the main arguments for maintaining Israel's current nuclear policies or shifting to a declared nuclear posture. These categories are: (1) Israel's strategic deterrence, (2) the potential for a Middle Eastern nuclear arms race, (3) the ongoing Arab-Israel peace process, and, (4) the strength of the US-Israel relationship. Chapter three discusses the current international environment, such as ongoing nuclear weapons programs in the Middle East and the international non-proliferation agenda, and their effect on Israel's nuclear posture.;This thesis evaluates the history, present and possible futures of Israel's nuclear weapons policy. With a clear understanding of the influences that have led Israel to its current nuclear status, it is possible to assess the likelihood of a shift in Israel's nuclear policy from ambiguity to an open stance.