No, I don't think so. Just think for a minute (an Atlas of the Middle East open in front of you may be helpful). Which country currently involved in conflict (I exclude the Emirates) has the LEAST land area, and the MOST densely concentrated population? Which country could be eliminated utterly with the smallest number of nuclear weapons?
Now, here is the tough question: if Israel actually used nuclear weapons on any of it's neighbors, how long could it survive?
The answer is: a few days at the very most.
Nuclear weapons are a DETERRENT- if they are used, the game is over for Israel.
June 6, 2000, White Sands Missile Range, N.M. -- The Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) demonstrator successfully tracked and destroyed a single rocket for the first time and during the first attempt today at approximately 3:45 p.m. EDT.
The test was the first of a series of shoot-downs before the THEL is handed over to the Government of Israel.
The THEL is a joint Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program between the United States and Israel designed to negate the threat posed by Katyusha rockets to populated areas in northern Israel.
“We’ve just turned science fiction into reality,” said Lt. Gen. John Costello, Commanding General, U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command. “This compelling demonstration of THEL’s defensive capabilities proves that directed energy weapon systems have the potential to play a significant role in defending U.S. national security interests worldwide. It also gives the Government of Israel an avenue for protecting its citizens actively and effectively against cross-border rocket attacks.”
In July 1996, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMoD) signed a memorandum of agreement which spelled out the development and functional testing of a THEL demonstrator. The THEL consists of subsystems that include a laser, a pointer-tracker, a command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I) center, and a fire control radar. TRW, Inc., is the prime contractor.
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) is the Department of Defense’s executive agent for the joint THEL/ACTD program.
LOL! Just like the Ranger Airborne! You look at a map and all you see is land. Take another look. Now if you were a Marine you would notice the land portion of the map but you would also take note of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, and Mediterranean Sea?
Do you know what is under that water? Type 800 Dolphin class submarines built in German shipyards for the Israel Navy. Extremely modern submarines with the most advanced sailing and combat systems in the world. According to more than one source these submarines are carrying nuclear-armed Popeye Turbo cruise missiles for the expressed purpose of deterring an enemy from trying to take out its nuclear weapons with a surprise attack. Under a system of rotation, two of the vessels would remain at sea: one in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, the other in the Mediterranean.
Now, here is the tough question: if Israel actually used nuclear weapons on any of it's neighbors, how long could it survive?
The answer is: a few days at the very most.
Not so tough. Israel would survive as long as the Arab nations wanted to survive.
Nuclear weapons are a DETERRENT- if they are used, the game is over for Israel.
Israel's naval nuclear weapons remain a deterrent in every scenario you wish to discuss. I do not think for a moment that any Arab nation will come to Iraq's defense. To do so simply means the last strike will be Israel's and the matter will be settled. No Israel? Maybe. But no Arab world either.