| ID | 193162 |
| Title Proper | Why Israel launched a preventive military strike on Iraq’s nuclear weapons program (1981) |
| Other Title Information | The fungibility of power resources |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Lobell, Steven E |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | In 1981, Israel launched a preventive military strike against a nuclear reactor that Iraq was constructing at the Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Center. The low fungibility of Iraq’s power resources, and especially its nuclear weapons program, shaped Israel’s decision-making process. First, it motivated Israel’s executives to disaggregate Iraq’s capabilities. Though they identified Baghdad’s emerging nuclear weapons program as a threat, there was little pressure to act more broadly. Second, it pushed Israel’s leaders to favour delaying strategies to stall Iraq’s program. Third, it motivated Israel’s leaders to favour a preventive military strike to delay Iraq’s nuclear program from becoming more fungible. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of Strategic Studies Vol. 46, No.2; Apr 2023: p.319-344 |
| Journal Source | Journal of Strategic Studies Vol: 46 No 2 |
| Key Words | Power resources ; Preventive War ; Osiraq ; Fungibility |