The Impact of Obama’s Declassification of Israel’s Nuclear Program
Despite claims that the declassification of Israel's nuclear program would have significant implications, this action is likely to have no substantial impact on Israel. The United States had already declassified similar documents in 2006, with no notable consequences at that time.
The declassification process has been contentious, with the Administration fighting to keep the documents secret until compelled by legal orders. This is a stark contrast to the Bush Administration, which released related documents more than a decade earlier. In 2006, the Bush Administration publicly released 30 declassified documents detailing secret policy debates over the Israeli nuclear weapons program.
The Department of Defense (DOD) faced a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that resulted in a prolonged legal battle. The Washington Post reported in 2008 that the Bush Administration had declassified a 1974 report regarding Israel's nuclear program. This report was only released after significant legal actions, as explained by an article in the Washington Examiner in 2015.
Why Do US Governments Try to Keep This Secret?
There are several reasons why US governments have tried to keep Israel's nuclear program secret. Among them is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which obligates them to prevent nuclear proliferation. This treaty does not condone or facilitate nuclear weapons development.
Another reason is the embarrassment that would arise from admitting that a close ally had lied to the US government. Israel had made promises to the US that it would not develop nuclear weapons, and admitting to this would be a significant political and diplomatic blow.
The CIA's suspicions that Israel stole uranium from the US Navy further complicates the matter. Revealing this fact would be extremely embarrassing. Therefore, it is more advantageous to turn a blind eye to Israel's nuclear activities.
Implications for the Current Declassification Effort
This declassification effort by President Obama may have been planned and known to the Israeli government beforehand. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Congress, and close friends of the president would be consulted before any such action is taken.
It is important to approach this development with caution. While the release of documents may provide insight into past policy debates, it is too early to draw significant conclusions. Further developments may clarify the true significance of this declassification.
As we move forward, it is crucial to monitor subsequent revelations to gain a clearer understanding of the political and strategic implications of this disclosure. Only time will tell how this event will shape the future of US-Israeli relations and the broader Middle East region.