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Israel could use tactical nukes on Iran: thinktank
The Washington Post ^ | 3/27/2010 | Dan Williams

Posted on 03/26/2010 10:53:59 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld

Deeply concerned as it is by the risk of a nuclear-armed Iran, Israel has never even hinted at using atomic weapons to forestall the perceived threat.

But now a respected Washington think tank has said that low-radioactive yield "tactical" nuclear warheads would be one way for the Israelis to destroy Iranian uranium enrichment plants in remote, dug-in fortifications.

Despite the 65-year-old taboo against carrying out -- or, for that matter, mooting -- nuclear strikes, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) says in a new report that "some believe that nuclear weapons are the only weapons that can destroy targets deep underground or in tunnels."

But other independent experts are on record warning that such a scenario is based on the "myth" of a clean atomic attack and would be too politically hazardous to justify.

In their study titled "Options in Dealing with Iran's Nuclear Program," CSIS analysts Abdullah Toukan and Anthony Cordesman envisage the possibility of Israel "using these warheads as a substitute for conventional weapons" given the difficulty its jets would face in reaching Iran for anything more than a one-off sortie.

Ballistic missiles or submarine-launched cruise missiles could serve for Israeli tactical nuclear strikes without interference from Iranian air defenses, the 208-page report says. "Earth-penetrator" warheads would produce most damage.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Israel; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: idf; iran; israel; israeliairforce; nuclearstrikes; nuclearwarheads; nuclearweapons; nukes; taticalnukes; thermobaric; uraniumenrichment; waronterror; wot

1 posted on 03/26/2010 10:53:59 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: Cindy

Ping


2 posted on 03/26/2010 10:55:10 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld ("I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution."-Dr.Wernher Von Braun)
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To: sonofstrangelove

Remember when America had the balls that Israel does??

This Obama bastard is like the French...

there is nothing he won’t agree to from our enemies...

and nothing he won’t refuse from our allies!!


3 posted on 03/26/2010 11:09:48 PM PDT by Nitro
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To: sonofstrangelove
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCbfMkh940Q
4 posted on 03/26/2010 11:11:22 PM PDT by FredZarguna ("I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.")
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To: sonofstrangelove
Walks like a muslim, talks like a muslim, smells like a muslim, and acts like a muslim. I guess he is Amish.
5 posted on 03/26/2010 11:11:31 PM PDT by oldenuff2no (Freedom is worth fighting for.)
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http://csis.org/files/publication/100323_Options_todealwith_Iran.pdf

Here is the copy of the CSIS report mentioned in the article for those who want to read it.


6 posted on 03/26/2010 11:13:31 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld ("I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution."-Dr.Wernher Von Braun)
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To: sonofstrangelove

“The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) says in a new report that “some believe that nuclear weapons are the only weapons that can destroy targets deep underground or in tunnels.”

“But other independent experts are on record warning that such a scenario is based on the “myth” of a clean atomic attack and would be too politically hazardous to justify.”

This is a case where both sides may be right. It may well take a nuclear weapon to get at some of Iran’s most deeply buried facilities. The U.S. (and others) have developed some pretty phenomenal conventional bunker busters, but there are likely a few places too deep for them.

On the other hand, “tactical” nuclear weapons are (and probably always have been) tactical only in the strictest military sense. The moment a nation uses one, the political fallout will likely be the same whether the yield was half a kiloton or 1 megaton.


7 posted on 03/26/2010 11:30:53 PM PDT by DemforBush (Somebody wake me when sanity has returned to the nation.)
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To: sonofstrangelove

More than most people want to know about this subject:

http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11282&page=R1


8 posted on 03/26/2010 11:52:58 PM PDT by Brad from Tennessee (A politician can't give you anything he hasn't first stolen from you.)
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To: Nitro

Remember when Israel had the balls that America used to have — which America used to defeat both Germany and Japan?

Western Civilization will soon be defended only by a few States in America’s Mountain West and South (from South Carolina to Alaska).


9 posted on 03/26/2010 11:57:33 PM PDT by Solitar ("My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them." -- Barry Goldwater)
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To: sonofstrangelove

Wishful thinking:

Iran hits Israel with a small nuke, but it’s a dud, and the cruise missile carrying it hits in Palestinian territory.

Then Israel strikes back with effective nukes on all Iran’s enrichment facilities.

The world shrugs because Israel didn’t strike first. Iranians rise up and rip Imanutjob and the Mullahs to pieces.


10 posted on 03/27/2010 1:26:49 AM PDT by Kellis91789 (Democrat: Someone who supports killing children, but protests executing convicted murderers.)
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To: Nitro
"This Obama bastard is like the French..."

Sadly, even the French think Obama is a panty-waist (and they would know).

11 posted on 03/27/2010 3:17:39 AM PDT by Psalm 73 ("Gentlemen, you can't fight in here - this is the War Room".)
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To: oldenuff2no
Walks like a muslim, talks like a muslim, smells like a muslim, and acts like a muslim. I guess he is Amish.

Very perceptive of you, very perceptive indeed ;-)

12 posted on 03/27/2010 4:01:05 AM PDT by varon (Allegiance to the constitution, always. Allegiance to a political party, never.)
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To: sonofstrangelove

Obama was too hungry to discuss Israel’s intentions. The megalomaniac will start WW III with his childishness.


13 posted on 03/27/2010 4:18:06 AM PDT by broken_arrow1 (I regret that I have but one life to give for my country - Nathan Hale "Patriot")
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To: Kellis91789
“The world shrugs because Israel didn’t strike first.”

Doesn't count - that Israel struck back at all is proof of their evil intentions - all muslims will be positive that them jews deliberately redirected the Iranian missile to Gaza. The UN will call for sanctions, Hussein will condemn, etc.

14 posted on 03/27/2010 5:19:34 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine .. now it is your turn..)
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To: broken_arrow1
“The megalomaniac will start WW III with his childishness.”

That's the intent, whatever the method. The mother of all crisises.

15 posted on 03/27/2010 5:21:13 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine .. now it is your turn..)
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